I don't attach * to anything, but it is interesting that both CHI and NJD had established themselves and continued to be elite teams.
TBL and CAR were flashes in the pan.
CAR:
Finals loss to DET
2 seasons missed playoffs (+ lockout year)
Won Cup
2 seasons missed playoffs
Conference finals (swept by Pens)
then 9 years missing playoffs before getting swept again in the Conf. Finals last year.
Obscure stat of the day: the Hurricanes have not lost in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs since 2001.
The Lightning missed for 6 straight years and then made it to the 2nd round in the year before they won the cup. Two first round exits then 3 years of no playoffs followed the lockout year.
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