To be honest, there's no reason why we shouldn't become an annual playoff team.
Tampa is great and will be for a while (assuming they keep Stammer long term). Montreal continues to produce, but they just don't frighten me. Detroit made it again, but their core is getting old (though they have some nice young talent). Boston's foundation has officially cracked, and they're in cap trouble. Ottawa is young but this run is unsustainable. Buffalo will be adding a key piece but should still be years away. Toronto is entering a rebuild (I imagine).
If you consider Tampa a lock and Buffalo and Toronto a lock in the other direction, it's us, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit and Boston for two guaranteed spots, and two others available.