It's been 30 years since the Islanders and Oilers took turns winning the championship in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. In the 28 postseasons since, it's proven to be a bad omen to lose in the final round. Of the 28 runners-up - including the Devils from last spring - six have missed the playoffs the following season, and only one got back to the Cup Final (the 2008-09 Penguins, who won it all). Click on each round to see how many runners-up made it that far the following year, and their record:
COMPILED BY SEAN SMITH
Islanders
Next: 40-34-6Flyers
Next: 53-23-4Flames
Next: 46-31-3Flyers
Next: 38-33-9Bruins
Next: 37-29-14Canadiens
Next: 41-28-11Bruins
Next: 44-24-12North Stars
Next: 32-42-6Blackhawks
Next: 47-25-12Kings
Next: 27-45-12Canucks
Next: 18-18-12Red Wings
Next: 62-13-7Panthers
Next: 35-28-19Flyers
Next: 42-29-11Capitals
Next: 31-45-6Sabres
Next: 35-32-11-4Stars
Next: 48-24-8-2Devils
Next: 41-28-9-4Hurricanes
Next: 22-43-11-6Ducks
Next: 29-35-10-8Flames
Next: 46-25-11Oilers
Next: 32-43-7Senators
Next: 43-31-8Penguins
Next: 45-28-9Red Wings
Next: 44-24-14Flyers
Next: 47-23-12Canucks
Next: 51-22-9Devils
Next: 19-19-10