Overview
- Since the current format began in 2013–14, about 77% of teams in playoff position on U.S. Thanksgiving typically make it, but multiple outlets note this season’s compression could push that rate lower.
- In the East, New Jersey leads with 31 points, yet the gap from playoff cut to the bottom is narrow, and the Rangers sit just one point out as coach Mike Sullivan dismisses the benchmark’s relevance.
- At the quarter mark, 81% of games (excluding empty‑netters) were decided by one goal and a record 90 had reached overtime, spreading loser points and tightening the table.
- Analysts highlight paths for clubs currently out of position to climb, naming Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Florida and Montreal, with context such as key injuries in Florida and Montreal and Connor Hellebuyck’s projected return for Winnipeg.
- Out West, Colorado has separated with 39 points and elite underlying numbers, while most other teams remain tightly grouped, setting up greater volatility than a typical Thanksgiving snapshot.