NHL.com continues its preview of the 2025-26 season.

For the eight Western Conference teams that missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their goal since the regular season ended has been determining how to extend their season into June, like the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers did.

So how can those teams take the next step? As training camps continue, NHL.com today examines why fans of the eight teams can hold onto their playoff hopes (teams listed in alphabetical order):

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Last season: 35-37-10, 16 points out of second wild card

How it ended: The Ducks had a .507 points percentage (30-29-8) in their final 67 games, but a 5-8-2 start (.400 points percentage) left them too big a hole to climb out of. They were eliminated from playoff contention for the seventh straig

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