The Discussion about Hockey Playoffs and Thanksgiving: Is it Time for a Change?
The conversation about playoff positioning in ice hockey during Thanksgiving in the United States is a recurring topic. Traditionally, if an NHL team is in a playoff position by that date, the chances of them advancing to the postseason are high. Historically, 77.1% of the teams in playoff positions on Thanksgiving Day managed to qualify from the 2005-06 season to last season. However, this season could be different. The average gap between first and last place in the Eastern Conference in the last ten seasons was 20.4 points, while in the Western Conference it was 20.5. This season, the difference in the East is only eight points, which could indicate greater competition and changes in the standings. Considering the tight situation in the Eastern Conference, we could witness greater uncertainty and changes in the teams’ positions, which could result in a more exciting season for the fans. The story tells us that the 77.1% success rate will remain approximately. But given the tight standings in the East, we could be facing a great deal of absolute chaos and more changes than in a circus, and let’s be realistic, that would be much more entertaining for hockey fans! A new proposal suggests postponing the discussion about the playoffs until a later date. Instead of focusing on playoff predictions during Thanksgiving, it is proposed to set the first Monday of December as the deadline for these discussions. This would give teams a margin of one to three additional games to define their positions. Thanksgiving offers enough hockey-related topics, such as thank-yous and dinner invitations to players, without the need to include playoff predictions. The proposal seeks to create a more defined space for this analysis, providing fans with a more organized and focused experience on the development of the season. Get ready for the predictions and analysis of the playoff teams on the first Monday of December!Featured Matches of the Week
The NHL schedule features a special week around Thanksgiving, with 15 games on Wednesday and another 15 on Friday. Below, a ranking of the 15 games on Friday:- New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins: An original league matchup between two teams that need to score points.
- Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
- Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Utah Mammoth vs. Dallas Stars
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders
- Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Ottawa Senators vs. St. Louis Blues
- Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers
Weekend Highlights
The New York Islanders defenseman, Matthew Schaefer, has stood out for his performance on the ice. His ability to anticipate plays and make intelligent passes has drawn attention, evoking comparisons to Cale Makar. Nathan MacKinnon could stay on the list of Hart Trophy candidates, leading the league in points and goals. Young players Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard are also emerging as contenders, generating exciting competition with established superstars.Social Media Post of the Week
An emotional message from Sydney Esiason Martin, Schaefer’s partner, highlights the importance of the player in the lives of his daughters. In addition, the collaboration of Grant Joseph and his daughter Skyla, known for their fun videos about the Maple Leafs, is highlighted.Contents
