Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.
In the latest hotstove we we predicted teams currently outside of the playoffs that will end up making it, so in this one we'll be predicting teams we think will fall out of a spot by the end of the season.
Todd Cordell: Boston Bruins
Personally I think Boston is most likely to miss the playoffs.
Their offense isn't going to scare anybody, and they're allowing a lot more goals than we're accustomed to seeing. I think Toronto may be able to kick it in gear now that they've made a coaching change and the Fancy Cats - who I recently predicted would make the playoffs - are just one point behind Boston with three games in hand.
I think when all is said and done Boston will miss the playoffs, and Florida will take their spot.
Ryan Wilson: Winnipeg Jets I personally feel like the current standings are the 16 teams we will be looking at for the playoffs this year. However, if I am forced to pick one team that will miss out it would be Winnipeg. I'm actually really impressed with how they have handled all the injuries to their defense corp. but I think Dallas may catch them.
The Jets have 50 points in the standing and have played 43 games. The red hot Stars have 43 points but have only played 41 games. I have concerns about how long the Jets can stay afloat without such a large portion of their defense corp. and anytime Ondrej Pavelec is starting it has the potential of ending really bad.
I believe the Jets have a really good chance of being a playoff team but for this exercise they are the team that I would pick to fall out.
Adam French: Winnipeg Jets There are a few candidates that seem like good bets. For me it has to be Winnipeg. I know their blueline has been rather decimated and that Maurice has them playing some decent hockey, but I just can't help but feel they will fall out.
Colorado seems to be figuring things out recently with Varlamov rounding into last years MVP level form. Calgary while falling off is still a nuisance every game they play. Dallas has the players to go on a streak. Lastly Minnesota is a coach firing and a goaltender away from being competitive.
Pavelec after a strong start has fallen back to his normal ways of flash in the pan inconsistency. Hutchinson has been fairly brilliant, yet they continue to ride mainly Pavelec. It is somewhat understandable since he's a rookie, but it doesn't give them the best chance to win.
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