What can be expected in the Stanley Cup playoffs from teams who defied the critics in the regular season, like the Florida Panthers and the Dallas Stars?
Last season, the Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators were surprise postseason participants, and the Washington Capitals turned out to be far more than the wild-card team they were expected to be. Winnipeg was swept, Ottawa and Nashville were eliminated in the first round, and Washington and Calgary were defeated in the second round.