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
6
12
7
2
1
1984
Islanders
Next: 40-34-6
1985
Flyers
Next: 53-23-4
1986
Flames
Next: 46-31-3
1987
Flyers
Next: 38-33-9
1988
Bruins
Next: 37-29-14
1989
Canadiens
Next: 41-28-11
1990
Bruins
Next: 44-24-12
1991
North Stars
Next: 32-42-6
1992
Blackhawks
Next: 47-25-12
1993
Kings
Next: 27-45-12
1994
Canucks
Next: 18-18-12
1995
Red Wings
Next: 62-13-7
1996
Panthers
Next: 35-28-19
1997
Flyers
Next: 42-29-11
1998
Capitals
Next: 31-45-6
1999
Sabres
Next: 35-32-11-4
2000
Stars
Next: 48-24-8-2
2001
Devils
Next: 41-28-9-4
2002
Hurricanes
Next: 22-43-11-6
2003
Ducks
Next: 29-35-10-8
2004
Flames
Next: 46-25-11
2006
Oilers
Next: 32-43-7
2007
Senators
Next: 43-31-8
2008
Penguins
Next: 45-28-9
2009
Red Wings
Next: 44-24-14
2010
Flyers
Next: 47-23-12
2011
Canucks
Next: 51-22-9
2012
Devils
Next: 19-19-10