Expect your local Habs fan to flaunt this poll in your face. A Canadian Press Harris/Decima survey found 40 per cent of Canadians identified the Habs as the nation's hockey team of choice, compared with 24 per cent for Leafs.
That's an interesting result, and incredibly flawed. Take it with a grain of salt the size of Montreal. The survey of more than 1,000 people across the country began April 24, after the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames had been eliminated from playoff action, and ended April 28.
You see, these 1000 people were surveyed at a time when there was only one Canadian franchise left in the playoffs. Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton didn't qualify this year and Ottawa and Calgary were already eliminated. That left Montreal to attract the many "cheer for a Canadian team" fans and other bandwagon jumpers that make these polls worthless.
In reality there is no doubt as the the nation's team of choice. It's the same as God's team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
