NHL Playoff Picture Takes Shape on US Thanksgiving as Predictive Pattern Emerges
The annual US Thanksgiving holiday marks a critical juncture in the NHL playoff picture, with 77% of teams that find themselves in a playoff position by this time going on to secure postseason berths. This phenomenon has been observed consistently since the league adopted its current wild-card playoff format in 2013-14.
In recent seasons, around three to five teams have dropped out of playoff contention and been replaced, underscoring the fluid nature of the competition. With no games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day due to the holiday, we can assess the standings as they currently stand.
The Eastern Conference is where things get intriguing, particularly in the Atlantic Division. The top contenders are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins. However, just five points separate Pittsburgh, the division's second wild-card team, from last-place Buffalo. New coaches, including Dan Muse at Pittsburgh and Marco Sturm at Boston, have injected fresh energy into their respective teams.
Moving on to the Western Conference, Colorado Avalanche are dominating with 39 points in 23 games, while Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild round out the top three in the Central Division. In contrast, Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken have made significant strides under new coaches Joel Quenneville and Lane Lambert respectively.
The absence of several top teams, including Florida Panthers, is notable. While a return to the playoffs seems unlikely for them this season, their past history suggests they are capable of making a late surge.
With nearly 60 games remaining in the season and an Olympic break that will disrupt rosters, the NHL playoff picture remains uncertain. The Western Conference is where the real battle takes place, with Los Angeles Kings and Utah Mammoth pushing hard for wild-card spots. As the US Thanksgiving holiday concludes, the action resumes on Friday with 15 scheduled games, setting the stage for continued drama in the pursuit of postseason spots.
A breakdown of current standings shows:
Atlantic Division:
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 points
- Ottawa Senators: 28 points
- Boston Bruins: 28 points
Metropolitan Division:
- New Jersey Devils: 31 points
- Carolina Hurricanes: 30 points
- Washington Capitals: 28 points
Western Conference:
- Colorado Avalanche: 39 points
- Dallas Stars: 34 points
- Minnesota Wild: 30 points
- Anaheim Ducks: 29 points
- Seattle Kraken: 28 points
Wild Card Spots:
- New York Islanders: 28 points
- Pittsburgh Penguins: 27 points
The annual US Thanksgiving holiday marks a critical juncture in the NHL playoff picture, with 77% of teams that find themselves in a playoff position by this time going on to secure postseason berths. This phenomenon has been observed consistently since the league adopted its current wild-card playoff format in 2013-14.
In recent seasons, around three to five teams have dropped out of playoff contention and been replaced, underscoring the fluid nature of the competition. With no games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day due to the holiday, we can assess the standings as they currently stand.
The Eastern Conference is where things get intriguing, particularly in the Atlantic Division. The top contenders are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins. However, just five points separate Pittsburgh, the division's second wild-card team, from last-place Buffalo. New coaches, including Dan Muse at Pittsburgh and Marco Sturm at Boston, have injected fresh energy into their respective teams.
Moving on to the Western Conference, Colorado Avalanche are dominating with 39 points in 23 games, while Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild round out the top three in the Central Division. In contrast, Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken have made significant strides under new coaches Joel Quenneville and Lane Lambert respectively.
The absence of several top teams, including Florida Panthers, is notable. While a return to the playoffs seems unlikely for them this season, their past history suggests they are capable of making a late surge.
With nearly 60 games remaining in the season and an Olympic break that will disrupt rosters, the NHL playoff picture remains uncertain. The Western Conference is where the real battle takes place, with Los Angeles Kings and Utah Mammoth pushing hard for wild-card spots. As the US Thanksgiving holiday concludes, the action resumes on Friday with 15 scheduled games, setting the stage for continued drama in the pursuit of postseason spots.
A breakdown of current standings shows:
Atlantic Division:
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 points
- Ottawa Senators: 28 points
- Boston Bruins: 28 points
Metropolitan Division:
- New Jersey Devils: 31 points
- Carolina Hurricanes: 30 points
- Washington Capitals: 28 points
Western Conference:
- Colorado Avalanche: 39 points
- Dallas Stars: 34 points
- Minnesota Wild: 30 points
- Anaheim Ducks: 29 points
- Seattle Kraken: 28 points
Wild Card Spots:
- New York Islanders: 28 points
- Pittsburgh Penguins: 27 points
, but at the same time, there are so many teams jockeying for position... like Pittsburgh is just 5 points away from Buffalo, that's wild. And what's up with the Ducks and Kraken, new coaches making such a difference? The Eastern Conference is always tough to read, though - Ottawa seems solid, but Tampa Bay is looking strong too 
️ The stats are insane! Did you know that since the wild-card format was introduced in 2013-14, 77% of teams in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving have made it to the postseason? That's like, super consistent! 
39 points in just 23 games? That's crazy! 
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And with nearly 60 games left and an Olympic break looming, the NHL playoff picture is more uncertain than ever.
those eastern teams are on fire right now and im loving it!! Tampa Bay is looking super strong with Ottawa & Boston giving them a run for their money. 
but meanwhile in the west, Colorado is just DOMINATING 
39 points already? that's insane! Dallas & Minnesota are keeping up well too. 
can't wait for friday's games!!
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