1.   Although they missed the playoffs last season, the Rangers are among the wealthiest franchises in the sport.

2.   Although the Raiders missed the playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons, he said he considers them as having championship potential.

3.   And Comets point guard Kim Perrot might miss the playoffs with a badly sprained ankle.

4.   And these are the words of people who missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.

5.   And while the Celtics have missed the playoffs in four of the last five years, the Lakers have had only one truly bad team to deal with.

6.   And the Rangers are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

7.   As a team, the Stars missed the playoffs last season.

8.   At the start of the year, the Kings, who had missed the playoffs four straight seasons, were lightly regarded.

9.   Beating the Flames, another young, rebuilding program that missed the playoffs last spring, was impressive for many reasons.

10.   Before this year, the Kings missed the playoffs five of the past six years.