Thanksgiving serves as a pivotal moment for NHL fans, particularly for those whose teams are in playoff contention. Historically, approximately 75% of teams occupying playoff positions on Thanksgiving manage to maintain their status through the regular season. This trend was evident last year, where 12 out of the 16 teams that were in a playoff spot at this time secured a position in the postseason. Notably, the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues made impressive comebacks to qualify for the playoffs, knocking out the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames in the process.
This season, the Eastern Conference standings are closely contested, with a mere eight points separating the top team from the last place. The Colorado Avalanche stand out in the Western Conference, showcasing a dominant performance, while the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks also appear strong contenders.
As of Thanksgiving, here are the NHL standings:
In the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning lead the Atlantic Division with 30 points, followed closely by the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, both tied at 28 points. New Jersey Devils are at the top of the Metropolitan Division with 31 points, while the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins are battling it out for the last playoff spots with 28 and 27 points, respectively.
Over in the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche are at the pinnacle with 39 points. The Dallas Stars follow with 34 points, and the Anaheim Ducks have a solid showing at 29 points.
Looking at potential playoff shifts, the Florida Panthers — two-time defending champions — could still make an impact despite struggling with injuries to key players, including Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Their resilience, highlighted by contributions from Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart, may help them turn the tide if they can maintain form.
The Montreal Canadiens, while positioned for the playoffs based on points percentage, face challenges with their goaltending situation. If they can improve their defense, they have a chance at securing a wild-card spot again.
However, not every team is faring as well. The Pittsburgh Penguins are starting to slip even after a strong showing. Coach Dan Muse needs to ensure they can maintain momentum throughout the season. The New York Islanders and Boston Bruins are also facing challenges, particularly with the Islanders needing to bolster their power play to keep pace.
In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers, typically known for their slow starts, might still turn things around thanks to their star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Winnipeg Jets face uncertainty as their star goalie Connor Hellebuyck recovers from injury.
On the flip side, teams like the Seattle Kraken and Los Angeles Kings are struggling to find consistent scoring, jeopardizing their playoff aspirations. Overall, as Thanksgiving unfolds, focus remains on how these shifts in standings will influence the teams moving forward.
With the regular season still in flux, there remains a hopeful anticipation for the teams to make significant improvements and secure their playoff futures.