WILL CANADA'S 24-YEAR DROUGHT END?

A YEAR AFTER the seven Canadian teams were shut out of the postseason, five made it last spring. So which one has the best chance to win the country's first Cup since Montreal in 1993? After making it to the second round last spring, Edmonton will be even better as CONNOR MCDAVID enters Year 3. Calgary bolstered a stellar defense with Travis Hamonic, and Mike Smith brings stability in net. But the best candidate is Toronto. To mentor their exceptional youngsters, the Leafs added defenseman Ron Hainsey, 36, and forwards Patrick Marleau, 38, and Dominic Moore, 37. Each has played in a Cup finals within the last five years.