There is no real substitute for a fast start. The Chicago Blackhawks raced out to an NHL record setting start on their way to their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. A good sprint out of the gate doesn’t necessarily guarantee postseason success any more than a great regular season does.

This season we have seen a handful of teams in the NHL jump out to quick starts but will be hard pressed to maintain the early season success. Talent seems to overcome most obstacles but with the parity in the league, anything can happen. That said, I have confidence that these five teams will absolutely cool off and struggle to make the postseason.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

I hate to put the Lightning on this list because I was really happy that they started this season with some wins. I still question some of the personnel decisions that were made, particularly with the draft and taking a pass on Nashville’s #2 defenseman Seth Jones. The lack of a legitimate number one goaltender also seems to be a concern though Ben Bishop, has tried to put his name on the starting gig so far. The Lightning will score and score, then score some more, but their defense looks too raw and inconsistent and goaltending still remains a question.

4. Minnesota Wild

So technically the Wild don’t have a winning record and they aren’t exactly off to a fast start. However, if Colorado manages to somehow maintain their winning ways, that is one more team that will finish ahead of them. The Wild made their big moves in 2012 and they resulted in a playoff berth last spring. With no discernable improvements in goal, Minnesota will be pinning their hopes on 36-year old Nicklas Backstrom or Josh Harding. With Harding’s well-documented bout with Multiple Sclerosis, the Wild can’t put the weight of their playoff hopes on the defense. Harding has been amazing thus far, but the offense has failed to impress.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are the only team besides Pittsburgh in the Metro Division with a winning record, but that will change before the season is done. The Canes have two more wins than losses but have given up four more goals than they have scored. Not that it is a huge red flag, but the Hurricanes rely too heavily on the Staals (Jordan Staal and Eric Staal), Alexander Semin and Jeff Skinner. Cam Ward has been solid to start the year, but the division is brutal and I expect at least three of the teams below Carolina to finish above them in the standings.

2. Nashville Predators

The Predators certainly had a star fall into their lap with Seth Jones but the Predators are still lacking in the scoring department. That will hurt them in a very close and competitive Central Division. The goaltending has been rock-solid and Jones has lived up to the hype, but the Predators aversion to scoring will keep them on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

1. Colorado Avalanche

It’s a fun and newsworthy story, former legend goaltender returns to make losing hockey club into contenders. Let’s be honest here folks, the Avalanche didn’t just become a contender simply because Patrick Roy showed up behind the bench. Or even when Joe Sakic became the director of hockey operations. They have a ton of talent but this is not the year that the Avs return to elite status in the NHL. They have too many holes in their defense and too top loaded at the center position. Their goaltenders are the same retreads from last year, Semyon Varlamov and J.S. Giguere. Though Giguere just posted his second shutout of the year, he is fools gold and will not stay at that level for long. The Avs could hang on for a playoff spot, but they are a year and at least two defensemen away from being a viable contender.