All eyes are on Canadian hockey superstars as the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off this week. After a record-setting season, the beloved Patrice Bergeron has led the Boston Bruins to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, who are are the current favourites in Betway's latest NHL playoffs odds. Nathan MacKinnon has also been crucial in the success of the championship-defending Colorado Avalanche as they head the Central Division again this year. Canadian teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets, have solidified playoff spots, however, key Canadian players will make moves all over the bracket this week. Below are the top Canadian athletes who fans have wagered on as week one of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs commences, according to Betway data.

1)  Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers

Finishing the regular season with an unbelievable 153 points and an impressive 16-game point streak, Connor McDavid has undoubtedly earned the distinction of being the most wagered-on Canadian athlete. Boasting a remarkable average of 1.87 points per game this season, McDavid was the driving force behind the Edmonton Oilers' potent offense all season long.

In their first-round series against the LA Kings, Game 1 saw McDavid unable to pick up a point, although he was a driving force for the offence all game long with his speed and vision. Fans can expect McDavid's relentless efforts to create scoring chances to continue to shine throughout the series. 

2) Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche

As a steady force for the Avalanche's offence throughout the regular season, reigning Stanley Cup champ Nathan MacKinnon is the first runner-up for fans' top Canadian picks. This year, MacKinnon continued to dominate the NHL, ranking third in points per game.

Despite a tough loss against the Seattle Kraken in Game 1 of the playoffs, MacKinnon's plays remained optimistic as he leveraged seven shots on goal and logged an assist. 

3) William Nylander - Toronto Maple Leafs

They don't call him Willy Styles for nothing; Nylander is bringing the heat from his career-best season to the playoffs. With a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the first round, Nylander is riding high in fans' minds, holding him in the third spot. The question remains whether his team can keep their composure after a disappointing loss on their home ice. 

4) Mitch Marner - Toronto Maple Leafs

After being only two goals behind Nylander in the regular season, fans flocked to Mitch Marner going into the playoffs. Despite losing 7-3, Marner still managed a +1 rating with three assists during Tuesday night’s game.

In order for the Leafs to succeed in the playoffs, Marner is expected to play a huge role, playing all ends of the ice, including on powerplay, penalty kill, and even strength. He will likely average 22-24 minutes per game, which provides a massive upside. He has become a beacon of hope for the Toronto faithful, leading his team in assists and points in the regular season. 

5)  Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Edmonton Oilers 

After ranking eighth in the league this season, Nugent-Hopkins continues to make a heavy offensive impact at the start of the playoffs, passing 100 points for the first time in his career. Many are wagering on Nugent-Hopkins' skills as a playmaker this season, and he showed up in Game 1 on Monday as he pegged one to Bouchard for a goal right off the bat. 

6) Ryan O’Reilly - Toronto Maple Leafs

Ryan O'Reilly gave the Toronto crowd some hope by burning one in the back of the net during Tuesday night's loss to Tampa Bay. O’Reilly was traded in, bringing in his veteran experience from winning the Stanley Cup in 2018-2019, with the Conn Smythe and Selke trophies under his belt as well.

After being out for four weeks healing a finger injury, he brought the heat right in time for the playoffs, scoring two goals, five assists, and four power-play points in six games. With O'Reilly pumping out the heat, the Leafs will rely on his leadership and experience to break through to the second round of the playoffs.

7) Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins

As a former Stanley Cup Champion, Brad Marchand knows what it takes to be successful in the playoffs. He scored his 50th career playoff goal in Monday's 2-0 victory against the Florida Panthers.

Fans are wagering on his point-driven performance for the playoffs, as he finished the regular season with 21 goals and 67 points in 73 games. 

8) Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche

The reigning Norris and Conn Smythe trophy winner, Cale Makar has once again had a remarkable season. He is a threat every time he steps on the ice, which is very often, as he led the league in time on ice this year.

Fans are eager to see what he can do in the playoffs with the young star returning from two separate injuries. Despite a tough loss for the Avalanche in Game 1, the team will be relying on Makar’s defence to help control the play from the backend. 

9) Mark Scheifele - Winnipeg Jets

Mark Scheifele had a modest return to the ice in Game 1 after being out with an upper-body injury for the final weeks of regular season play. The centre had four shots on goal to help push the Jets to the win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.

Scheifele is averaging 20:28 of time on ice per game, but with the Jets being underdogs to Vegas, fans should expect to see him out on the ice even more during this series.   

10) Brayden Point - Tampa Bay Lightning

Brayden Point has been making headway with fans after hitting the headlines this week, putting up two goals against the Maple Leafs in Game 1. Whether or not fans will keep the faith will be determined as the series continues this week. Point has earned himself the recognition as Tampa’s most reliable goal scorer, coming off his first 50-goal season and leading the team in that stat during the regular season.

Whether you are rooting for the downfall of the Bruins or betting on the Oilers making a comeback, there is no doubt that Canadian players will be making their mark these playoffs. Will Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon go back-to-back? Or is this the year Connor McDavid brings home his first Stanley Cup to Edmonton?