Playoffs are a different story
In the playoffs, scoring goals becomes less important than preventing them. None of the highest-scoring regular season teams since 1994 (when the current 16-team playoff format was introduced) have won the Stanley Cup, and only two have gone to the finals.
| Year | Team | Goals (Regular) | Goals (Playoffs) | Difference | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 |  Washington | 3.82 | |||
| 2008-09 |  Detroit | 3.52 | 3.30 | -0.32 | L - Stanley Cup finals|
| 2007-08 |  Ottawa | 3.15 | 1.25 | -1.90 | L - First round |
| 2006-07 |  Buffalo | 3.63 | 2.75 | -0.88 | L - Conference finals |
| 2005-06 | Ottawa | 3.80 | 3.60 | -0.20 | L - Second round |
| 2003-04 | Ottawa | 3.20 | 1.43 | -1.77 | L - First round |
| 2002-03 | Detroit | 3.28 | 1.50 | -1.78 | L - First round |
| 2001-02 |  Vancouver | 3.10 | 2.67 | -0.43 | L - First round |
| 2000-01 |  New Jersey | 3.60 | 2.76 | -0.84 | L - Stanley Cup Finals |
| 1999-2000 | Detroit | 3.39 | 2.56 | -0.83 | L - Second round |
| 1998-99 |  Toronto | 3.27 | 2.53 | -0.74 | L - Conference finals |
| 1997-98 |  St. Louis | 3.12 | 2.90 | -0.22 | L - Second round |
| 1996-97 |  Pittsburgh | 3.48 | 2.60 | -0.88 | L - First round |
| 1995-96 | Pittsburgh | 4.41 | 3.12 | -1.29 | L - Conference finals |
| 1994-95 |  Quebec | 3.85 | 3.12 | -0.63 | L - First round |
| 1993-94 | Detroit | 4.24 | 3.86 | -0.38 | L - First round |
SOURCES: NHL | CREDITS: Graphic by Barry Svrluga, Sisi Wei - The Washington Post, April 15, 2010.
