NHL Playoffs 2012: 4 Reasons Chicago Blackhawks Will Fall Short of Stanley Cup

Currently tied at 1-1 in their playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to get past the first round as quickly as possible, so that they can get some rest before the next round of the tournament. 

The Blackhawks are not favorites to win the Stanley Cup, but many fans are hopeful that their playoff experience will give them the added push they need to achieve their goal. 

Unfortunately, that will not happen in 2012, as they do not possess the tools to make the deep postseason push.

Goaltending

Goaltending has been a concern for the Blackhawks all season, and although it has looked better in the first two games of the playoffs, I still think it will come back and haunt them.

Through the first two games, the Blackhawks have surrendered just six goals. Crawford's save percentage is currently at .911 in the playoffs, but that doesn't overshadow the fact that Crawford struggled for a good part of the season.

The Blackhawks have a very good chance to get past the Coyotes in the first round, but should they make it to past the first round, competition will be raised. That is when Crawford will really feel the heat.

Lack of Power Play

The power play has been a problem for the Blackhawks all season, and it continues to be unproductive so far in the postseason.

The Blackhawks are 1-8 on power plays this offseason, which may not be alarming, but it continues a trend which saw the Blackhawks having one of the least productive power plays in the NHL.

Power plays are crucial in the NHL playoffs, and teams that cannot score with a man-advantage are the ones who watch the rest of the playoffs on TV.

Semifinal Matchups

As stated before, the Blackhawks have a very good chance of beating the Coyotes. After beating them, a much more difficult road lies ahead for the former Stanley Cup champs.

Assuming the Kings beat the Canucks, they will have to face the top seed remaining in the playoffs. That will most likely be the Blues, as I foresee them knocking off the Sharks. That means the Blackhawks will end up playing the Red Wings/Predators winner. Both of those teams have given the Blackhawks trouble in the past, which could be bad in the end.

If the Blackhawks play the Predators or the Red Wings, I do not like their chances. Both teams are very familiar with the Blackhawks and are able to shut them down.

Eastern Conference Team Will Win the Cup

Whoever wins the Western Conference and goes to the Stanley Cup will lose. The East is too stacked and will beat whatever team is put in front of them.

For example, the Philadelphia Flyers have looked unstoppable in their playoff series against one of the top teams in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Right now, they look to be the favorites to win it all.

If the Flyers don't pull it off, there are a number of other top contenders in the East that can easily become Stanley Cup champions. At this point the East is just too stacked, and it will result in a Stanley Cup for whoever emerges.