By the Numbers: How “2” Quietly Shapes Canada’s Biggest NHL Storylines

Hockey fans love their numbers. Some bring up legends, some make us cringe remembering blown leads or that goal everyone still argues about. And then there’s “2”—a number that sneaks into Canadian NHL conversations more than you might notice. It shows up on jerseys, in rivalries, and in those moments when you lean forward a little, heart racing. Here’s how “2” quietly keeps threading itself through the Canadian hockey experience.

1. The No. 2 That Built Blue Lines

Ask any Montreal Canadiens fan about iconic No. 2 defensemen, and Doug Harvey comes to mind immediately. And, with 1,113 NHL games under his belt, the numbers back it up:

540 career points (88 goals, 452 assists)—in a time when defensemen were mostly stay-at-home, that’s phenomenal
7× James Norris Trophy winner—the league’s top defenseman, seven times in eight years
6× Stanley Cup champion with the Canadiens—part of one of the greatest dynasties hockey has ever seen

Harvey showed that “hockey sweater #2” isn’t just a number—it can be a statement. It’s reliability, skill, and leadership all rolled into one.

Head west, and you’ve got Mattias Öhlund in Vancouver, another steady No. 2; exactly what the team needed night after night. There’s something about seeing a young defenseman don jersey #2—fans might not voice it, but we’re all thinking: Alright, let’s see what you’ve got #2.

2. Two Teams, One Province, Endless Drama

If any rivalry deserves to be recognized in an article referring to the number 2, it’s the Battle of Alberta. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames don’t just share a province—they share a rivalry that refuses to fade. Even when one team is in rebuild mode, an Oilers–Flames night still feels louder, more intense, and a lot more fun than your average game.

The hits come early, momentum swings out of nowhere, and the crowd is buzzing long before puck drop. Walk the concourse at intermission, and you’ll overhear heated debates about which team is better this year—sometimes friendly, sometimes not-so-friendly. It’s a tug-of-war that never really stops, which is exactly why fans across Canada keep tuning in.

3. The 2-Goal Lead: Comforting… Until It Isn’t

Every hockey fan knows this feeling. Your team’s up by two goals, you’re finally settling in, maybe even reaching for a snack—and then, bam, the other team scores. Suddenly that safe cushion feels like a hole in your nerves.

Whether it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs giving up a quick pair, the Edmonton Oilers fighting off a late push, or the Montreal Canadiens trying to hang on back-to-back, the script is familiar across the country. That two-goal lead has a reputation: safe enough to feel good, dangerous enough to keep you tense. And that tension? That’s part of what makes hockey such a ride.

Why the Number 2 Keeps Showing Up in Canada’s Hockey Story

In the end, there’s nothing mystical about it. The number 2 just keeps cropping up in moments Canadian fans care about. From defensemen we admired, to rivalries that are must-watch TV, to the 2-goal swings that make us grip our seats, “2” keeps showing up in ways that feel true to the game of hockey.

From Doug Harvey’s No. 2 to the Battle of Alberta, to the nerve-wracking two-goal lead, it quietly threads itself through the Canadian hockey story—familiar, unassuming, and absolutely essential.