We're going to be in the playoff race barring unforeseen injury or just plain disaster, but I am not expecting a repeat of last year's regular season at all. I think we finish with around 90+ points, whether it'll be enough to get in, I don't know. I just think it's how things can go in this league, we were due for a step back since we took such a big step forward from 17-18 to 18-19 ( a 23 point improvement). Hell even the Tampa Bay Lightning missed the playoffs in 2017, 2 years after making the cup final, and 2 years after they missed it they set a season record for wins. Progress isn't always linear, I just expect an upward trend the next couple years. And to me that means being a consistent playoff team at the very least, and that also means progress within the playoffs once we're in. I can't predict if this core will win a cup as they are incredibly young (apart from Giordano) and locked up for 3 seasons at minimum, I just want to have fun watching this team and let the chips fall where they may. And honestly I kinda had fun watching tonight, even though we lost.
Sorry if that was random, I just know the season is long and I am trying to keep my expectations relatively low. GFG.