Big changes in the Eastern Conference as playoffs are set.
All NHL fans and pundits knew this day would come, no one was sure when it was going to happen, but it was certain that it would happen.
Many of the teams in the early 2000s and early 2010 who made the playoffs regularly have now begun to fall off the mark and are missing the playoffs for the first time in many years.
Tonight, longtime rival and fellow state NHL team the Pittsburgh Penguins will miss the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. They were knocked out by the New York Islanders tonight when they played the Montreal Canadiens and won 4-2 to clinch their playoff spot.
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This means this year will be the first time that the Capitals, Penguins and Flyers missed the playoffs since Washington came into the league in 1974-75.
Another milestone to take note of is it's the first time that all three New York area teams have made the playoffs since 2007.
Having a shakeup this size in the Eastern Conference may be a sign of things to come and it might signal other teams to begin their teardown and rebuild process just like the Flyers have announced.
| POLL | ||
13 AVRIL | 79 ANSWERS Big changes in the Eastern Conference as playoffs are set. Will the Pens and Capitals join the Flyers in a full rebuild this summer? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 44.3 % |
| No | 44 | 55.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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