8支东部球队如何回到季后赛圈（下）
原标题：How 8 Eastern Conference teams can get back into Stanley Cup Playoffs
NHL.com continues its preview of the 2024-25 season.
For the eight Eastern Conference teams that missed the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their goal since the regular season ended has been determining how to extend their season into June, like the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers did.
So how can those teams take the next step? As training camps continue, NHL.com today examines why fans of the eight teams can hold onto their playoff hopes (teams listed in alphabetical order):
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Last season: 38-39-5, 10 points out of second wild card
How it ended: The Devils had the first wild card into the playoffs on Jan. 5, but went 3-6-1 in their next 10 to enter the break for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game six points out of a playoff spot, a deficit too big to climb out of.
Biggest offseason change: The Devils turned their biggest weakness into a strength with the acquisition of goalie Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames on June 19. Since 2019-20, the Devils have started an NHL-high 15 goalies. That includes five last season who combined for a .904 5-on-5 save percentage that was tied for 27th in the NHL despite New Jersey allowing 30.0 shots on goal per game, 18th in the League. Markstrom was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22 and his .857 high-danger save percentage last season led the NHL. With Markstrom and Jake Allen, who had a .900 save percentage in 13 games with the Devils last season after being acquired in a trade with the Canadiens on March 8, there's finally stability in the position.
Why they could get in: Jack Hughes, healthy after shoulder surgery in April, heads an outstanding top-nine forward group that features five 20-goal scorers from last season. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who sustained a season-ending torn pec muscle on Nov. 28 last season, is healthy and leading a defense group that includes a more experienced Luke Hughes (when he returns in November from a shoulder injury) and Simon Nemec plus newcomers Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. If Markstrom and Allen stay healthy and play to their potential, the Devils should push for a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Last season: 37-41-4, 13 points out of second wild card
How it ended: After winning three of their first four games to start the season, Ottawa lost 16 of its next 24 (8-16-0) to fall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Coach D.J. Smith was fired Dec. 18, during a six-game losing streak. Coach Jacques Martin replaced him but didn't have much better luck, and the Senators missed the postseason for the seventh straight season.
Biggest offseason change: The Senators believe they solved their goaltending issues with the acquisition of Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins on June 24. Ottawa allowed 29.7 shots on goal per game last season, tied for 13th in the NHL, but the combination of Joonas Korpisalo, Anton Forsberg and Mads Sogaard combined for a .900 5-on-5 save percentage that was the third worst in the League. And among the 46 goalies to play at least 30 games last season, Korpisalo was in the bottom 10 in save percentage (.890) and goals-against average (3.27). Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL in 2023, ranked in the top 10 in those categories with a 2.57 GAA (tied for eighth) and .915 save percentage (tied for fifth). After sharing goalie duties with Jeremy Swayman in Boston the previous three seasons, the expectation is Ullmark will thrive as an undisputed No. 1 in Ottawa.
Why they could get in: New coach Travis Green has a lot of talent to work with, starting with a top line that featured two 70-point players in Brady Tkachuk (74) and Tim Stutzle (70), plus Claude Giroux, who had 64 points (21 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games at age 36. David Perron and Michael Amadio were signed in free agency to add depth to a forward group that includes Drake Batherson, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto and a healthy Josh Norris following March shoulder surgery. Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub will be the keys on defense, with Nick Jensen joining them after being acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals for Jakob Chychrun. With a high-powered offense and a legitimate No. 1 goalie, the Senators should be right in the race for a wild card.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Last season: 38-33-11, four points out of second wild card
How it ended: After spending most of the season in a playoff spot, the Flyers lost eight straight (0-6-2) from March 24 to April 9, and Philadelphia missed the postseason for the fourth straight season.
Biggest offseason change: The arrival of forward Matvei Michkov has sparked a high level of enthusiasm among Flyers fans. Management has tried to temper the expectations, considering Michkov is 19 and will be playing in North America for the first time. But he had 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 47 games with Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League last season, most in the KHL among players under 20 and tied for the second most all-time among under-20 players in the league, behind Kirill Kaprizov (42 points, 2016-17). On a team desperate to find scoring, especially for its NHL-worst power play (12.2 percent), Michkov could provide a significant upgrade.
Why they could get in: The Flyers avoided big-ticket items during free agency with the belief that a young core that had Philadelphia in a playoff position for the majority of last season can be even better this season. That includes forwards Tyson Foerster, who was tied for third among rookies last season with 20 goals; Owen Tippett, who scored an NHL career-high 28 goals; and Travis Konecny, who led the Flyers in goals (33) and points (68). No. 1 center Sean Couturier is healthy and better equipped for the rigors of an 82-game season after an inconsistent 2022-23 that marked his return after almost two seasons out because of back problems. And defenseman Jamie Drysdale is healthy after offseason sports hernia surgery and determined to show why the Flyers traded top forward prospect Cutter Gauthier to acquire him. Coach John Tortorella has a well-earned reputation for wringing every last bit of ability out of his players, and entering his third season this roster understands what he demands of them. It was good enough to get them into playoff position for most of last season, and with Michkov upgrading the offense they should compete for a wild card, or potentially a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Last season: 38-32-12, three points out of second wild card
How it ended: A 10-game point streak (7-0-3) from March 2 to April 11 lifted the Penguins from nine points out of a playoff spot into the second wild card, but they lost two of their final three games (1-2-0) and missed the postseason for a second consecutive season.
Biggest offseason change: Solid veteran depth scorers were brought in to support Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Kevin Hayes, acquired from the St. Louis Blues on June 29, remains a solid playmaker and will have extra motivation after being traded for the second straight offseason. Anthony Beauvillier, who signed a one-year contract July 1, struggled to find his footing while playing for three teams last season but finished well during the playoffs with the Nashville Predators. Blake Lizotte, who signed a two-year contract July 1, should supply physicality and some skill in a bottom-six role.
Why they could get in: It's tough to doubt any team that features Crosby, who remains an elite player as he enters his 20th NHL season. And he'll certainly have help with forwards Malkin, Bryan Rust and Michael Bunting, and defensemen Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson helping carry the load offensively. Adding Hayes, Beauvillier, Lizotte, Cody Glass and potentially Ville Koivunen and Vasily Ponomarev, two prospects acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the trade for Jake Guentzel last season, should make the Penguins' bottom-six forward group stronger. If Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic can provide the same kind of solid goaltending they did late last season, the Penguins likely will again be in the hunt for a wild card.
