21.   The confidence might have been spawned last season, despite the early playoff exit.

22.   The boring Bruins are threatening to close Boston Garden with an embarrassing first-round playoff exit.

23.   The fans at home were booing him, questioning his desire, and blaming him for another quick playoff exit.

24.   The results were the three division titles, but also a burgeoning payroll and three first-round playoff exits.

25.   The talented Blazers, the team so much had been expected of, were looking at a quick playoff exit and an offseason of unrest.

26.   The win puts New York one victory away from a return to the American League Championship Series and Cleveland one loss from another early playoff exit.

27.   Philadelphia is trying to avoid its third first-round playoff exit in four years.

28.   Realizing that his window of opportunity grew smaller with every playoff exit, Bourque asked that he be traded to a championship contender.

29.   Suddenly, the team that appeared a certain title contender before the season is looking more like a candidate for an ignominious first-round playoff exit.

30.   The Blues have long been famous for creating turmoil leading to momentary excitement but ultimately ending in early playoff exits.