Original Six Teams Miss NHL Playoffs for First Time

For the first time in NHL history, all four U.S.-based Original Six franchises—the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks—will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the same season. This milestone was finalized after the Rangers were eliminated following a significant loss, capping off a disappointing campaign where they failed to build on last year's Presidents’ Trophy win. The Bruins, with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, and the Red Wings, who regressed under GM Steve Yzerman, both fell short of expectations, while the Blackhawks remain deep in a rebuilding phase. While Detroit and Chicago's struggles were somewhat anticipated, the misses by New York and Boston were considered surprising given their recent successes. The combined absence of these storied teams, who have collectively won 27 Stanley Cups, marks a notable shift as Canadian franchises claim all playoff positions this year. This rare occurrence underscores a period of transition and challenge among some of the league's most historic American teams.