Is Thanksgiving the right time to talk about NHL playoffs?
The conversation about playoff positioning on Thanksgiving Day in the NHL is a recurring topic each season. Traditionally, if an NHL team is in a playoff position by Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday of November), the odds of them making the postseason are high.
From the 2005-06 season to last season, 77.1% of NHL teams in playoff positions on Thanksgiving Day made it to the postseason. However, this year could be different.
In the last 10 seasons, the average point difference between first and last place in the Eastern Conference was 20.4 points, and in the West, 20.5. This results in an average gap of 20.45 points across the entire NHL.
If the current eight-point difference in the East holds in the coming days, it would be the smallest gap in either conference on Thanksgiving Day in the last decade. Even with a smaller gap, six of eight teams in playoff position on Thanksgiving Day made the postseason.
The story suggests that the 77.1% success rate will be maintained, but the tight standings in the East could generate more uncertainty. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the deadline to discuss the playoffs.
Why not postpone the playoff predictions until the first Monday of December?
Alofoke Deportes
Thanksgiving coincides with games 18-22 of the season. Postponing the discussion of the “Mendoza line” of the Stanley Cup playoffs until the first Monday of December would allow space to enjoy the holiday and its associated themes, without saturating the conversation with the playoffs.
Get ready for the predictions and laments from the playoff team on Monday, December 1st!
Featured Matches of the Week
This Thanksgiving week in the NHL is special, with 15 games on Wednesday and another 15 on Friday. Here is my ranking of the 15 games on Friday:
- 1. New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins
1 p.m. ET | TNT
A clash between two teams from the Original Series, there’s always something extra when it’s Boston against New York, regardless of the standings.
- 2. Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 3. Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 4. Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 5. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
7 p.m. ET | NHL Network
- 6. Utah Mammoth vs. Dallas Stars
8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 7. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings
12 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 8. Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 9. Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 10. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals
5 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 11. Winnipeg Jets vs. Carolina Hurricanes
5 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 12. New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 13. Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 14. Ottawa Senators vs. St. Louis Blues
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
- 15. Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers
4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
What I loved this weekend
The New York Islanders defenseman, Matthew Schaefer, is a pleasure to watch in his young career. He already demonstrates maturity on the ice, skating well, with great positioning, battling for the pucks and making smart passes. He reminds me of how Cale Makar disarms opponents.
Hart Trophy Candidates if the Season Ended Today
Nathan MacKinnon could be on this list for the rest of the season. After 22 games, he has 37 points and 17 goals, leading the league in points and tied for the lead in goals.
In the race for the Art Ross (NHL’s top scorer), numbers 2, 3, and 4 are currently McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor Bedard. Celebrini and Bedard have more goals than McDavid, and I nominate them as finalists for the Hart Trophy.
Social Media Post of the Week
Matthew Schaefer demonstrated incredible composure and strength for the children he interacted with during Cancer Awareness Day at UBS Arena. Schaefer’s mother, Jennifer, died of cancer, and the game was played on her birthday.
Sydney Esiason Martin’s post
On a lighter note, a shoutout to Grant Joseph and his daughter Skyla, whom I met at the UBS Arena. Their videos, where daughter Skyla criticizes her father Grant for being a Maple Leafs fan, make me laugh.
Grant Joseph’s post
Attention points
The Islanders did an incredible job showing the children present an incredible moment. Brayden Schenn, captain of the Blues, positioned the children so that the photos looked great. Three of the young warriors were able to ring the bell for beating cancer, which provoked an incredible and emotional reaction from the crowd.
The Islanders’ general manager, Mathieu Darche, held a special press conference for the children. You see many examples of acts of kindness on social media during Cancer Awareness Month, but it’s a different perspective to see them in person.
The Islanders, like many other teams, have incredible charitable initiatives throughout the year. The money raised in the auctions regularly allows the winners to sit in the owners’ box.
