How often have DET/SJ/CHI/VAN *ALL* missed the WC Semis?

[rares]

Barring some miraculous comebacks, in the NHL Western Conference, the Red Wings, Sharks, Blackhawks, and Canucks will all be eliminated in the quarterfinals.

In 2010, the Western quarterfinals winners were these four teams.

The last time that none of these teams appeared in the Western semifinals was 2001. Only the Blackhawks had missed the playoffs that year.

The last time before that was 1991. The Sharks franchise did not exist until the following season.

The last time before that was 1986. 1986 was the last year of 5-game series quarterfinals.

The last time before that was 1984. That year, the Red Wings, Blackhawks, and Canucks all lost in the quarterfinals. (Sharks were still nonexistent.)

The last time before that was 1981.

In 1979 and earlier there were only 12 playoff teams and four were automatically in the quarterfinals. 1980 and on have had 16.

The last time before the next was 1977.

In 1974 and earlier, there were only 8 playoff teams, putting each of them automatically in the semifinals.

The Canucks joined the NHL for the season of the 1971 playoffs.

In 1969, the Red Wings and Blackhawks missed the playoffs. This was the first time in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs that this had happened.

(In 1968, the NHL had expanded from 6 to 12 teams. From 1943-1968, 4 of 6 teams made the playoffs, meaning that they started in what we would consider conference finals today.
Previous to 1943, all six teams entered the playoffs.)

TL;DR: In the history of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, these four teams were only not present in the semifinals (or later if they didn't exist) eight times. In the 21 seasons that these four teams have existed together, they have only all missed the semifinals two times.

Stolen from reddit... didn't check for accuracy but sounds legit!

Also, it's not TOO impressive considering how long (mostly) Detroit has been good for, but still...

 

[IPostedWhat]

didn't check for accuracy but sounds legit!..

 

[rares]

LOL.. Aww, I knew stuff like that was going to come as soon as I posted. :p

 

[The Q stache]

Hey I didnt know winning 2 games qualifed as a miracle

 

[TheRobotDevil]

sheva

 

[rares]

Hey I didnt know winning 2 games qualifed as a miracle

With Crawford in net? It might. :p

j/k... I'm allowed to joke like that because my team's goalie is Nimi...

PS. To be fair, the post I quoted was made a few hours before tonight's CHI/PHX game was decided.

 

[The Q stache]

With Crawford in net? It might. :p

j/k... I'm allowed to joke like that because my team's goalie is Nimi...

PS. To be fair, the post I quoted was made a few hours before tonight's CHI/PHX game was decided.

If cap weren't involved I would swap you crawford for niemi in a heartbeat.

 

[sherbert1421]

we could be looking at a ratings nightmare. could you imagine a yotes, panthers finals? good lord...

 

[Vadered]

we could be looking at a ratings nightmare. could you imagine a yotes, panthers finals? good lord...

Forget ratings, they might not even sell out the GAME.

Phoenix crowd was the quietest I've ever seen for a team which can win a playoff series on home ice.

 

[kenyg54]

Forget ratings, they might not even sell out the GAME.

Phoenix crowd was the quietest I've ever seen for a team which can win a playoff series on home ice.

Cuz 25% of the crowd wore Blackhawks jerseys

 

[Dacks]

I was just thinking this last night. In almost every series, either the underdog is winning or a modern powerhouse is facing elimination.

LAK 3 - 1 VAN Stanley Cup finalist, President's Trophy winner facing elimination
STL 4 - 1 SJS Modern powerhouse eliminated by team that has only made playoffs once since lockout (got swept)
PHX 3 - 2 CHI Recent SC winner and star-studded team facing elimination
NSH 4 - 1 DET Best team of the last 20 years and perennial contender eliminated
OTT 3 - 2 NYR Conference champ facing elimination from team many expected to come last
WSH 3 -2 BOS Stanley Cup champ facing elimination
FLA 3 -2 WSH Team with longest playoff drought ever has 3-time champ on the ropes

Basically the only series where it's not an upset in some form is PHI - PIT: Everyone thought these teams were pretty evenly matched going in.

 

[rares]

Yeah, some crazy stuff happening for sure...

 

[higgyfan4]

FLA 3 -2 NJD Team with longest playoff drought ever has 3-time champ on the ropes (FIFY)

Basically the only series where it's not an upset in some form is PHI - PIT: Everyone thought these teams were pretty evenly matched going in.

Nashville beating Detroit really wasn't an upset. Nashville was the higher seed and almost everyone picked them to win the series.

 

[SLY]

BOS 3 - 3 WSH

No upset here muddafucka.

 

[Dacks]

Nashville beating Detroit really wasn't an upset. Nashville was the higher seed and almost everyone picked them to win the series.

My point was that each series has either been an upset, or the elimination of a modern powerhouse.

Changing of the guard perhaps?

 

[Eddie_Shack]

My point was that each series has either been an upset, or the elimination of a modern powerhouse.

Changing of the guard perhaps?

Detroit hasn't gone to the WCF's and beyond every year since the early 90's... they've just been consistently good since the early 90's. I've been hearing about a "changing of the guard" waaayy too long to take it seriously just yet.

1990-91 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1991-92 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
1992-93 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1993-94 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1994-95 Detroit Red Wings Lost in Finals
1995-96 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 3
1996-97 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
1997-98 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
1998-99 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
1999-00 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2000-01 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2001-02 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
2002-03 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2003-04 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2005-06 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2006-07 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 3
2007-08 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
2008-09 Detroit Red Wings Lost in Finals
2009-10 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2010-11 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2011-12 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1


I'm not naive enough to think the Wings will ALWAYS be top tier, but the core is strong, we have cap space, a good prospect pipeline, and a great coach. I'm optimistic this group has more gas in the tank.

 

[Automattic]

My point was that each series has either been an upset, or the elimination of a modern powerhouse.

Changing of the guard perhaps?

Not imy opinion it isn't. Parity is kicking in almost full cirlce. You'll see teams tear it up next year that were dead in the water this year. I'm really anxious to see how many teams win the cup over the next 10 years.

Having said that, I still think the Wings management has become better at adapting to rule changes withing the game and the economics of it all. Their chain of command is sickening. That should keep us slightly above most other teams as far as championship hopes on a yearly basis. But, pretty much everybody else is gonna get a crack at it any given season.....Everybody remember that shit as the Yotes raise the Cup...lol...or maybe I shouyldn't be lol'ing? Creepy, huh?...

 

[Automattic]

lol...Sup Eddie? You got the Bat signal too?

 

[Darkstone42]

I hope Phoenix makes the Cup finals. I'll go to those games.

 

[awaz]

Detroit hasn't gone to the WCF's and beyond every year since the early 90's... they've just been consistently good since the early 90's. I've been hearing about a "changing of the guard" waaayy too long to take it seriously just yet.

1990-91 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1991-92 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
1992-93 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1993-94 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
1994-95 Detroit Red Wings Lost in Finals
1995-96 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 3
1996-97 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
1997-98 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
1998-99 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
1999-00 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2000-01 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2001-02 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
2002-03 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2003-04 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2005-06 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1
2006-07 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 3
2007-08 Detroit Red Wings Won Championship
2008-09 Detroit Red Wings Lost in Finals
2009-10 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2010-11 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 2
2011-12 Detroit Red Wings Lost in round 1


I'm not naive enough to think the Wings will ALWAYS be top tier, but the core is strong, we have cap space, a good prospect pipeline, and a great coach. I'm optimistic this group has more gas in the tank.

i agree w/ this.. the red wings aren't going anywhere.. i dont think the canucks are either.. the only team that could be 'changing the guard' is the sharks.. they could be in for some dramatic changes this offseason.. but i think their fans all want the team to have some dramatic changes

the canucks and wings will be right back in the thick of things next year and the hawks are still in it this year.. til their dead i wouldn't count them out, they're a very good team