The Original Six U.S.-based NHL teams, with a collective 27 Stanley Cup titles, have missed the playoffs for the first time in history. Detroit, Boston, Chicago, and the New York Rangers all fell short of postseason contention this year. Detroit, under GM Steve Yzerman, saw a regression after showing signs of improvement in recent years. The Rangers, coming off a strong previous season, and the Bruins, with high hopes at the start, also failed to secure playoff berths. Chicago, once a dominant force in the league, finished last in their division for the third consecutive year.
Despite past successes, these teams faced challenges in the current season, resulting in their absence from the playoffs. Detroit and Chicago, in particular, were anticipated to struggle, while the Rangers and Bruins were expected to be playoff contenders. The Rangers, led by coach Peter Laviolette, fell short of expectations, while the Bruins, after trading longtime captain Brad Marchand, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This collective absence of the U.S. Original Six from the postseason marks a significant moment in NHL history.