NHL 2009 Playoffs: Possible Disappointment Teams

As April comes closer and the NHL playoff race heats up, it's time to take a look at who is a contender...and who's not!

In this two-article series, I take a look at teams that could make a run and slip into the playoffs, suddenly surprise everyone, and go to the Conference finals, or fall off down the stretch.

For the other part to the series, the teams to watch, follow the link below:

NHL 2009 Playoffs: Teams To Watch

In this article, I bring up several teams that are currently looking like top teams in their conference, or right in the thick of fighting for a playoff spot, but seem likely candidates to be disappointments as April nears.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (95 points, First)

For all the hype about how awesome this team is turning out to be, I really can't see what it is that separates them from other "decent" teams like Philadelphia and Chicago.

The defense is definitely a strong point, but they seem to have a lack of offensive stars. The talent is very spread out among the top three lines, which can often be a good thing, but the Bruins have limited stars and the fourth line can struggle from time to time. And the pressure may already be getting to the Bruins. Also, they are just 4-4-2 in the last 10!

Alright, maybe there isn't a mass quantity of facts to support my line of thinking, but believe me: This team isn't as good as they seem to be!

Montreal Canadiens (75 Points, T-Seventh)

Carey Price, after his spectacular fall and early winter, has become a disgrace since the All-Star Break. He deserves to be in the AHL, and backup Halak has been quite inconsistent so far for the Canadiens, though he has shown what he can do in several key wins for Montreal.

Goaltending is becoming an issue, and Montreal is beginning to slump back down again after breaking out of their slump a few weeks ago. Although they currently hold a playoff spot, both Buffalo and Pittsburgh have something to say about that.

Western Conference

Columbus Blue Jackets (72 Points, Sixth)

The Blue Jackets have been a nice surprise so far this season because Steve Mason has changed this team from a bottom-four West team (what they were expected to be) to a playoff contender and a top choice for "best future outlook."

But one problem with Steve Mason is his experience. Simply put, he has pretty much none. And while the Blue Jackets are hoping for playoff success, they might want to worry about getting a spot. It is quite likely that the playoff pressure will begin many weeks before the actual playoffs begin for Columbus, and that may get to Steve Mason's head (and affect his play, too).

Another reason why the Jackets may struggle for the rest of spring is because, besides Rick Nash, they really aren't known as a team with a lot of depth. Perhaps it is because they receive very little nationwide media attention, but maybe not. The Blue Jackets may need to find several unknown players to step up if their wish for the playoffs is to come true.

Edmonton Oilers (70 Points, T-Seventh)

The Oilers just traded away a top physical presence (Eric Cole) in exchange for Patrick O'Sullivan, who, despite being a pretty good player, hasn't had much exposure to playoffs in Los Angeles.

Goaltending has also been a problem all year, and, even though it has slightly improved in the past month or so, only the Avalanche have more goals scored against them.

The Oilers are currently in the thick of a tight playoff race, but I doubt they will make it in with this set of players.

Anaheim Ducks (68 Points, 10th)

Even though the Ducks are within two points of a playoff spot, they have a lot of expiring contracts to deal with, attitude problems, and lack of production from their goaltender (whoever that happens to be at the moment...they can't figure out who the starter is!).

Those problems have led to a record below .500 in the past couple of weeks, so they currently do not hold a playoff seed.

Anaheim has been a powerful force in the Western Conference for several years now, but this may be the end of the semi-dynasty in Anaheim.