The Leafs and Post-Season Droughts
Former Cox Bloc writer Godd Till has an interesting post up over at Pension Plan Puppets, where they're doing a Leaf-centric 12 days of Christmas (I wrote day 5, which can be read here).
Till's wish for day 6 is that the Leafs put-up six consecutive years of consistent play, complete with post-season appearances.
His post reminded me of how long it's been since the Leafs played a game that actually, genuinely mattered. I'm not talking about late season nail biters to see if this team can squeak into the post-season. I'm talking about OT games with no threat of a shootout, or the thrill and tension of a game 7 where an entire season is on the line.
It also made me wonder how the Leafs' current five year drought (sure to be six next April) stacks up against the rest of the NHL.
Team | Playoff Drought | Seasons |
NJ Devils*** | 9 | 79-87 |
9 | 01-10 | |
8 | 74-82 | |
NY Rangers | 7 | 97 - 04 |
NY Islanders | 7 | 94-01 |
7 | 00-07 | |
7 | 70-77 | |
7 | 96-03 | |
6 | 82-88 | |
6 | 00-06 | |
6 | 96-02 | |
6 | 92-98 | |
LA Kings | 6 | 02-08 |
6 | 02-08 | |
5 | 89-94 | |
5 | 02-07 | |
5 | 98-03 | |
Colorado*** | 5 | 87-92 |
5 | 05-10 | |
4 | 92-96 | |
4 | 96-00 | |
4 | 92-96 | 06-10 | |
3 | 98-01 | |
3 | 99-01 | 01-04 | |
St.Louis | 3 | 05-08 |
3 | 73-76 | |
3 | 93-96* | 99-02 | |
2 | 05-07 | |
2 | 00-02 | 03-05 | 08-10 | |
2 | 91-93* | '95-97 |
*drought started with their first year in the NHL
** have longer droughts that pre-date 1967
*** drought occurred/is shared with previous franchise (e.g. Whalers, Nordiques)
Interesting question: Which team would you prefer; the Devils who lead the pack with 9 years of post-season drought but have 3 Cups to their credit, or the Sharks who have never gone more than 2 years without a playoff appearance but have to buy a ticket to the Hall of Fame to see the Cup like the rest of us?
ReplyDelete