Florida Flounders - Southeast Sends Two

Thick as thieves in sixth place at the March 4th trade deadline, Florida clung to prized blueliner J. Bo to solidify their Eastern Conference standing. Last night the experiment ended when the Rangers recorded a 2-1 win over the Flyers.

Florida's flub stretched their playoff-less streak to eight seasons. Worse still, it sunk the Southeast's chances of repeating a three team post season. Only six times (1996, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009) in the past 15 seasons has the lowly south sent more than one team, managing three teams once (1996) with near misses in 2000 and 2009.

Year: Playoffs
2009: WAS, CAR
2008: WAS
2007: ATL, TBL
2006: CAR, TBL
2004: TBL
2003: TBL
2002: CAR
2001: WAS, CAR
2000: WAS, FLA
1999: CAR
1998: WAS
1997: FLA
1996: FLA, WAS, TBL
1995: WAS
1994: WAS

With Columbus clinching a franchise first playoff berth, Florida has sole possession of the NHL's longest playoff drought. You can't help but wonder if a change of climate might help their cause.

Tough sledding in the sun belt.