Should the rest of Canada be cheering for the Habs' 2026 Stanley Cup run?

For 82 regular-season games, Steve ‘Dangle’ Glynn screamed alongside Toronto Maple Leafs fans. But with the Leafs out of the playoffs, the popular YouTuber shifted gears, streaming Montreal Canadiens games. His support for the Habs, now Canada’s lone playoff team, has sparked debate across the country.[1][2]

Eight games into the postseason, the Canadiens have advanced past the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games and are now tied 2-2 with the Buffalo Sabres in the second round. A deep run could end Canada’s 33-year Stanley Cup drought since 1993. Yet rivalries run deep—should fans from Edmonton, Ottawa, and beyond rally behind Montreal?[3]

A Leafs fan roots for the Habs

Steve Dangle’s pivot drew mixed reactions. Some Leafs supporters accused him of betrayal. “If you’re a Leafs fan cheering for Montreal, you aren’t a Leafs fan,” one X user wrote.[1]

Habs fans, however, welcomed the gesture. They praised Dangle’s attempts at French phrases during streams. This unlikely alliance highlights a rare moment of cross-rivalry unity.

Dangle defends his choice. “The criticism is silly,” he said. His network has covered non-Leafs games before, proving versatility.[1]

The backlash underscores deep-seated Original Six animosity. Comparing it to Yankees fans rooting for the Red Sox captures the sentiment.

Yet Dangle sees silver linings. Streaming Habs games entertains fans and showcases the team’s appeal.

Canada’s last hope in the playoffs

Edmonton fell 2-4 to Anaheim in the first round. Ottawa lost 0-4 to Carolina. With those exits, Montreal stands alone as Canada’s playoff representative.[3]

A Habs Cup win would mark the first for any Canadian club since 1993. Fans nationwide might celebrate, much like the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series run united the country.

Dangle remains skeptical of blind national loyalty. “I’ve never been a believer in arbitrarily cheering for the last Canadian team,” he noted. Personal preferences guide his views.[1]

Still, the stakes are high. Another U.S. team hoisting the Cup would extend the drought.

Polls and social media show division. Some embrace the bandwagon; others stay loyal to rivals.

The electric Habs fanbase and roster

Bell Centre playoff atmospheres are unmatched. Chants of “Ole! Ole!” echoed during the first round, giving chills even to neutrals.

The team plays fast and skilled. They feature 14 Canadian-born players in the playoffs, more than Vegas (12) or others remaining.[1]

Captain Nick Suzuki leads with five assists. Lane Hutson has two goals and three assists. Their top line shows promise despite slow starts.

• Juraj Slafkovsky: Hat trick in playoff opener
• Alex Newhook: Two goals in Game 2 vs Sabres
• Jakub Dobes: Key chirp in Game 7 win vs Lightning, as detailed here[4]

Dangle appreciates this. “They’re fun to watch and the fan base is electric.”

For more on their coaching edge, see this analysis of Martin St-Louis vs Jon Cooper.[4]

Rivalries vs national pride

Leafs-Habs hatred is legendary. X posts like @leafguy403’s dismiss any Canadian unity narrative.

Similar sentiments echo from Oilers and Senators fans. Yet bandwagon jumpers appear coast to coast.

Canada rallied for the Blue Jays without alternatives. Here, the same logic applies—no other Maple Leaf awaits.

The Habs’ second-round battle vs Sabres intensifies drama. Game 4’s 3-2 Sabres win tied it at 2-2. Game 5 looms tomorrow in Buffalo.[2]

Check the full 2026 playoffs bracket here.[2]

What a Habs Cup would mean

A championship parade down Sainte-Catherine Street could unite Canada. It would end decades of frustration.

Dangle’s evolved view matters. Even skeptics might warm to this likable squad.

The path remains tough—Sabres, then potential conference foes. But hope flickers.

Ultimately, rivalries fade against national triumph. Rooting for the Habs might just feel right, Canadian pride intact.

For deeper dives, read The Hockey News on Dangle’s stance.[1]