*Everybody Makes The Playoffs!

Brent Burns
2019-20 Upper Deck #165

In a brilliant marketing move, the NHL's expanded playoff format now includes 24 teams instead of 16 (effectively making the regular practically meaningless).

This means only SEVEN teams actually missed the playoffs (presumably eight when Seattle joins the league in 2021).

With turnover and parity, many of these non-playoff teams have been contenders in recent years.
(*Anaheim, Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Ottawa and San Jose)

Despite being renowned for choking during the playoffs, I was surprised that the San Jose Sharks didn't make the cut. Even with the expanded playoff roster, the Sharks managed to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15.

Spending less than it would cost to buy an actual pack, this thrifty collector has managed to acquire several cards from the shiny new 2019-20 UD, including Brent Burns. Seems he's one of several players sporting the year-round playoff beard...