Most disappointing playoff teams ever

[captainpierce]

Sort of a variation on the "best teams not to win a cup" thread, what do you think are the most disappoingting playoff teams(or chokers, depending on personal preference) in NHL history? Here's my top five:

5. 1998-2006 Senators(subject to change): 2nd-best record in NHL over 7 season-span, no Cup final appearances and reached conference finals only once.
4. 1962-67 Blackhawks: best record in NHL over 5 year-span, only one playoff series win.
3. 1979-2004 Blues: 25 straight playoff appearances(3rd-longest streak ever), no Cup finals appearances and only two conference final appearances. Lost to eventual Cup winner five teams from 1997-2002.
2. 1975-2006 Flyers: best record in NHL over 30-season span, no Stanley Cups.
1. 1982-2003 Capitals: 2nd-best record in NHL from 1983-2001. Only two conference final appearances, both ending in sweeps(one in finals). Blew 3-1 series lead three times, blew 2-0 lead three other times(one in a best-of-five series). Lost two 4OT games. Lost 11 of 13 series against Islanders and Penguins.

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[Crazyhorse]

The Sens of the 2005/2006 season is a sure candidate.

 

[Masao]

Not a single season, but I'd say overall the Blues for the past, oh, 20 years.

 

[nik jr]

flyers at least made finals few times and were close in 04. lost to great teams like 80s oilers and late 90s wings.

others here are far more disappointing.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

flyers at least made finals few times and were close in 04. lost to great teams like 80s oilers and late 90s wings.

others here are far more disappointing.

5 times to be exact and the teams they lost to won a combined 16 Stanley Cups.

1976 - Habs
1980 - Isles
1985 - Oilers
1987 - Oilers
1997 - Red Wings

 

[ScaredStreit]

Blues hands down. Three Cup finals in a row-all loses. Then plus they're long record without any cups.

 

[12# Peter Bondra]

Blues hands down. Three Cup finals in a row-all loses. Then plus they're long record without any cups.

But they made it due to being in a weak division. They got hammered in each Final IIRC.

 

[Big Phil]

The 2006 Senators are near the top of this list. Not to mention the early 70's Rangers and the mid to late 70's Sabres. Both of them lost to the best teams pretty much so it isnt so bad

 

[ered7]

The 1990-91 Hawks won the President's Trophy and then proceeded to get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota North Stars. This followed the 89-90 season where the Hawks battled the Oilers to 6 games before falling short and missing a chance at the Cup. The 90-91 team probably ran out of gas in getting the President's Trophy, but it was careless penalties and a lack of discipline in the playoffs that cost the Hawks the most. Throughout the series the Hawks couldn't get out of the penalty box.
The following season the Hawks went all the way to the finals before getting swept in a very close 4 games, but it was that 90-91 team that had built so many expectations based on the regular season only to fall to the Stars in the first round. The Stars road the magic of their first round upset and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals before falling in 6 to the Penguins.