NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Why Each Team That Didn't Get in Didn't Get In

For the 14 teams who failed to make the 2012 NHL playoffs, there will be a lot of discussion over the summer on how they can improve their teams and qualify for the postseason next year.

There are a number of reasons teams fail to make the playoffs, such as injuries to key players and poor goaltending.

Let's look at why each that failed to make the playoffs didn't get in.

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Columbus Blue Jackets

Since the franchise's beginning, the Columbus Blue Jackets have not had strong goaltending, and that was the case this season.

The Blue Jackets were 28th in goals allowed per game, and their penalty-killing unit was the worst in hockey.

The team doesn't have a playmaking center and was forced to trade its best player at that position, Jeff Carter, when it was clear that he didn't want to be in Columbus.

The whole Rich Nash trade saga, which ultimately resulted in him staying, also did not have a positive affect on the team.

Edmonton Oilers

Inconsistent goaltending and injuries to key forwards were major reasons why the Edmonton Oilers were not in playoff contention.

Young stars Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both missed a lot of time with injuries, which was a problem since the Oilers have to score goals to combat their lack of defensive talent and depth. Edmonton was 23rd in goals allowed this season.

Anaheim Ducks

Not enough scoring depth and an average season from goaltender Jonas Hiller prevented the Anaheim Ducks from making the playoffs.

The team was 23rd in goals scorer per game and ranked 19th in goals allowed. The priority for the Ducks this summer is to acquire some reliable goal scoring either from the draft or in free agency.

Minnesota Wild

Minnesota finished last in goals scored per game this season, which was the reason they couldn't win enough games to make the playoffs.

Losing star goaltender Nicklas Backstrom to injury for a lengthy period of time also did not help their cause. Injuries to key offensive players such as captain Mikko Koivu also hurt them.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche don't have a lot of experience, but their young players really performed well this season and gave their fans plenty to be excited about in the future.

The Avalanche were 24th in goals scored per game and finished the season with a brutal schedule that put them out of playoff contention.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars offense was good at time, but it wasn't consistent throughout the season, and they ranked just 22 in goals scored per game.

However, their power play was really poor and ranked dead last in the NHL. They were in playoff contention until the last two weeks, so the franchise is not far off from being a contender.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames don't have a lot of scoring depth and had to rely on veterans Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen to carry them offensively throughout the season.

The team struggled to score goals, which is really unfortunate since Miikka Kiprusoff had another amazing season in net.

It's time to rebuild in Calgary.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens battled a ton of injuries this season and did not get strong performances out of their defensemen such as Tomas Kaberle.

The team had to rely on star goaltender Carey Price to win them nearly every game, which is a lot to ask, but he battled hard and had another tremendous season.

With the third-overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft, the Canadiens need a playmaking center who can help the team's 28th-ranked power play.

New York Islanders

Outside of star center John Tavares and the top two lines, the New York Islanders were not able to find offense on a consistent basis, which is why they ranked 27th in goals scored per game.

A lack of talent on the blueline and injuries to multiple goaltenders were two reasons why they ranked 28th in goals allowed.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Where do we begin?

The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoff again this season and haven't done so since the lockout. Poor goaltending from James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson, as well as terrible and lazy defense at times were major contributors to their lack of success.

The Leafs were 10th in the league in scoring, but you cannot make the playoffs when you ranked 29th in goals against and have the third worst penalty kill.

Carolina Hurricanes

Poor defensive play and a terrible season from captain and star center Eric Staal led to the demise of the Carolina Hurricanes this season.

Outside of Staal and young forward Jeff Skinner, the Hurricanes don't have any reliable offensive threats, which has to change this summer for the team to contend again.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets' return to the NHL was one of the best stories of the season, and the passion their fans showed throughout the season was an example for all other cities to follow.

Their fans were a major reason why the Jets were unbeatable at times on home ice, but their inability to win on the road (14-22-5) was ultimately their downfall.

It also didn't help that the Jets had the fifth-worst goals against average and the seventh-worst penalty kill.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Goaltending was the major reason why the Tampa Bay Lightning missed the playoffs after finishing one game from the Stanley Cup Final last season. Veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson was unable to duplicate his performance of the 2010-11 season.

Other than score goals, which Steven Stamkos had 60 of, the Lightning didn't do anything well this season. They ranked 30th in goals against, 25th on the power play and had the 26th-ranked penalty kill.

Buffalo Sabres

New ownership and high expectations were the downfall of the Buffalo Sabres this season. With a ton of money spent in free agency, the Sabres thought they would be a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

However, big contracts to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and forward Ville Leino proved to be mistakes.

After goaltender Ryan Miller got run over by Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic in an early season game, the Sabres were never the same team after people questioned their toughness.