Up, Up, Up …

The Senators are on a pace to become only the second team in NHL history to post an increase in regular-season winning percentage for six consecutive seasons. The Islanders accomplished the feat from 1972-73 through 1978-79. The streaks for both clubs began with their inaugural NHL seasons. A comparison of the Senator's and Islanders' six consecutive improved seasons:

Ottawa Senators

                          Win
Season    GP      W-L-T   Pct.             Playoff notes

1992-93   81    10-70-4   .143           Out of playoffs
1993-94   84    14-61-9   .220           Out of playoffs
1994-95   48     9-34-5   .240           Out of playoffs
1995-96   82    18-59-5   .250           Out of playoffs
1996-97   82   31-36-15   .470   Lost conf. quarterfinal
1997-98   82   34-33-15   .506      Lost conf. semifinal
1998-99   58    37-18-8   .651

Through games of March 9.

New York Islanders
                          Win
Season    GP      W-L-T   Pct.       Playoff notes

1972-73   78    12-60-6   .192     Out of playoffs
1973-74   78   19-41-18   .359     Out of playoffs
1974-75   80   33-25-22   .550      Lost semifinal
1975-76   80    2-21-17   .631      Lost semifinal
1976-77   80   47-21-12   .663      Lost semifinal
1977-78   80   48-17-15   .694   Lost quarterfinal
1978-79   80   51-15-14   .725      Lost semifinal

Note: The Islanders' streak was broken in 1979-80 when they posted a .569 (39-28-13) regular-season winning percentage but went on to win the first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

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