The New York Rangers loaded up their rebuilt team with some huge pieces this off-season. Across the Eastern Conference, an Atlantic Division team did something similar. They are trying to reverse a trend that has seen them miss the playoffs 16 time in the last 18 seasons. Strangely enough, the two years they made the playoffs they finished in first place in their Division, the last time just four seasons ago.
Last season, the Panthers finished two slots out of a playoff position, but that’s a bit misleading. The fifth place Panthers trailed the Montreal Canadiens by ten points and the Habs missed the playoffs even though they had 96 points.