Photo: Contributed

Will you continue watching the NHL playoffs now that all Canadian teams have been eliminated?

Canada’s Stanley Cup drought will last at least another year now that the Calgary Flames, seeded first in the Western Conference, and the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets have all been sent golfing.

Just two weeks into the post-season, all three teams are out, ensuring the futility streak among Canada's teams lasts another year. No Canadian team has lifted Lord Stanley’s Cup since the Montreal Canadiens did so way back in 1993.

A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that more than half of Canadians, 56 per cent, tuned in to the first round of the playoffs with three of Canada’s provinces represented.

While many Canadians are likely disappointed with the poor showing by Canada’s teams, executives at Canada’s broadcasters – Sportsnet and CBC – probably woke up Wednesday feeling morose as well. In 2016, when no Canadian teams qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1970, just 45 per cent of Canadians said they would be tuning in.

The study also indicated a Stanley Cup would mean a great deal to Canadians. Among those who follow hockey, 62 per cent say they are willing to cheer for any Canadian team if their favourite is knocked out.

Despite our country's lack of success in the Stanley Cup playoffs, hockey remains the number one professional sport in Canada with more than double the number of people following the NHL over MLB, NFL, and CFL.