Three 2013 Playoff Teams That Will Miss In 2014
Earlier I looked at 3 teams that could or should make the playoffs in 2014 after missing the dance in 2013. For that to happen, three teams that qualified in 2013 must miss.
These are those 3 teams:
1. Montreal Canadiens
May 9, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens team cheer after loosing against Ottawa Senators in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
I am not sold on the fact that the Canadiens were as good as they finished in 2013. They aren’t as bad as they were in 2011-12. They are somewhere in the middle, and only 1 Andrei Markov injury away from complete disasater. They have no room for error and the odds are not with them.
2. New York Islanders
May 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) waits for the puck drop against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Making a return to the playoffs was a good step for the young Isles. However, losing captain Mark Streit and apparently top line winger Brad Boyes will not help their efforts in 2013-14.
3. Minnesota Wild
May 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Torrey Mitchell (17) is congratulated by his teammates for scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Spending all that money on Ryan Suter and Zach Parise got them into the playoffs last season, but only by the skin of their teeth. It will be tough to repeat, especially given the new playoff format and the potential for the crossover as well as the Predators’ expected rebound.
The observant among you will have noticed that I had 2 Western Conference clubs and 1 Eastern Conference team re-joining the playoffs, while 1 Western team and 2 Eastern teams will fall out of the playoffs. This is because Detroit will keep their playoff status despite moving conferences.