It takes a talent-loaded team effective in many facets of the game to make the postseason, but no team is perfect. After all, there can be only one Stanley Cup champion. Every team has an Achilles' heel, and the postseason is often when those weaknesses are exploited.
We identified every team's fatal flaw, the statistical area that could prove to be its downfall and lead to a failed playoff run. They don't say the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in all of sports for no reason, and as playoff teams chase those final 16 wins this spring, they will have to rise above the lesser areas of their games.
Let's look at the statistical downfall that could send each of the Western Conference teams to the links earlier than expected this spring, from the 50-win Chicago Blackhawks to the No. 2 wild-card Nashville Predators:
Chicago Blackhawks
2016-17 record: 50-23-9, 109 points (first in Central)
First-round opponent: Nashville Predators
Fatal flaw: Penalty kill
Surprised to see the Blackhawks among the Cup favorites again? Nope, neither are we. But Chicago will have to address its dreadful penalty kill if it wants to take a run at a fourth championship in eight years. At just 77.7 percent, the Hawks rank 24th in the NHL and dead last among playoff-bound teams. Eight of the past 10 Cup winners have finished the season ranked inside the top 10.
Minnesota Wild
2016-17 record: 49-25-8, 106 points (second in Central)
First-round opponent: St. Louis Blues
Fatal flaw: SAT percentage
The Wild were one of the hottest teams in the NHL to start the season, but they cooled rapidly after the trade deadline. Since March 1, Minny has just eight wins and 18 points. Beyond the recent struggles, Wild fans should be concerned about the team's low SAT percentage. The Wild's 49.34 SAT percentage is just 20th in the league. Martin Hanzal has recorded a 58.89 personal percentage since being acquired at the deadline by the Wild, and he leads the team in that category.
St. Louis Blues
2016-17 record: 46-29-7, 99 points (third in Central)
First-round opponent: Minnesota Wild
Fatal flaw: Shots
The Blues might have missed their best shot at a Cup last season, but they return for another run this year nevertheless. However, their low shot count could certainly hurt them this April. St. Louis' 28.4 shots per game rank 26th and at the bottom of the playoff pack. What's more, the Blues were outshot in 37 games this season. While Vladimir Tarasenko took 286 shots this season (sixth in the NHL), only nine other St. Louis players topped 100.
Anaheim Ducks
2016-17 record: 46-23-13, 105 points (first in Pacific)
First-round opponent: Calgary Flames
Fatal flaw: Comeback wins
Anaheim has been hot in the second half, but the Ducks struggle to come back in games after falling behind. When trailing after a period, their win percentage of .211 is higher than that of only five other teams. When trailing after two? They have just two wins in 28 tries for a 27th-ranked .071 win percentage. In fact, they are just 35 percent in games in which the other team scores first. Anaheim's ability to win games despite falling behind will be critical to its playoff hopes.
Edmonton Oilers
2016-17 record: 47-26-9, 103 points (second in Pacific)
First-round opponent: San Jose Sharks
Fatal flaw: SAT close percentage
The Oilers return to the playoffs, but they certainly have their shortcomings in chasing a Stanley Cup. Besides being one of the least experienced teams, their SAT percentage in close games is 49.70, good for just 20th in the NHL and the third-lowest percentage in such games among postseason teams. However, the Oilers rank ninth at .553 in win percentage in one-goal games. That's just the Connor McDavid difference!
San Jose Sharks
2016-17 record: 46-29-7, 99 points (third in Pacific)
First-round opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Fatal flaw: Power play
The Sharks went all the way to the finals last season, but if they want to return, their power play will have to improve. At just 16.7 percent, San Jose ranks 25th in the league and worse than any other playoff squad. Only four Sharks have more than one power-play goal this season, and just five players have at least eight power-play points. The Sharks will have to take advantage of their man-up opportunities more frequently in the postseason.
Calgary Flames
2016-17 record: 45-33-4, 94 points (first wild card)
First-round opponent: Anaheim Ducks
Fatal flaw: Penalty minutes
The Flames revived their playoff chances after a slow start, but they haven't been able to find discipline in their game. They average 11:39 in penalty minutes per game and have been whistled for 378 penalties, the top totals in the league. The good news is Calgary's penalty kill is 81.6 percent and 12th in the league, so the numerous trips to the penalty box haven't cost the Flames too badly.
Nashville Predators
2016-17 record: 41-29-12, 94 points (second wild card)
First-round opponent: Chicago Blackhawks
Fatal flaw: High-danger save percentage
This is yet another year in which the Predators' playoff potential relies upon Pekka Rinne, and while his even-strength save percentage is a respectable .927, his high-danger situation save percentage is just .783, a low among playoff starters, according to Corsica Hockey. We've seen good and bad from Rinne, ranging from Vezina Trophy candidate to borderline starter, but his playoff numbers have been subpar for the most part (he holds a career .912 playoff save percentage). He will have to be at his best to keep the Predators around, especially against Chicago in the opening round.