The playoffs are upon us in the NHL, but before we get to the first round, the play-in round will play out in front of our very eyes and we couldn't be more excited.
There are 24 teams still alive and some are looking to end a drought, specifically a playoff series win drought, and we're counting down the 5 longest of those droughts.
Before we start, this drought is continued in two ways, by not making the playoffs or by losing in the first round and before you go any further, take your guesses as to who the 5 teams are.
5. New Jersey Devils - Last Playoff Series Win: 2011/12, Drought at 8 seasons
The Devils were the pre-season darlings of hockey after winning the Draft Lottery and trading for P.K. Subban (among other moves), but New Jersey finished 8th in the Metro Division and haven't won a series since their Stanley Cup Final run in 2011/12.
4. Vancouver Canucks - Last Playoff Series Win: 2010/11, Drought at 8 seasons
The Canucks will face the Wild in the play-in round, but it's been a trying 8 seasons to say the least. In that span, Vancouver has lost in the first round 3 times and they, like the Devils, last won a series when they went on a Cup run in 2010/11.
3. Buffalo Sabres - Last Playoff Series Win: 2006/07, Drought at 13 seasons
Yeah, it's not easy being a Sabres fan. Not only do they have the longest playoff drought in hockey, but they're in the top-three when it comes to winning a playoff series. 2006/07 was the last time that occurred for Buffalo and it was the second consecutive season they lost in the Conference Final.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs - Last Playoff Series Win: 2003/04, Drought at 14 seasons
Only one team has a longer drought than the Leafs and that team has also lost just as many times in the first round since their last playoff series win (4). Toronto has lost to Boston the last two years in Game 7 and if all goes according to plan, they'll somehow take on the Bruins in the first round again because it's fate at this point.
1. Florida Panthers - Last Playoff Series Win: 1995/96, Drought at 22 seasons
Then Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season and haven't won a playoff series since. Sorry Panthers fans.
