Thanksgiving and NHL Playoff Positioning
As the hockey season advances, every year we find ourselves mired in the familiar debate surrounding playoff positioning by American Thanksgiving, a notion popularized by seasoned NHL executive Ken Holland. This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, and traditionally, the belief goes: teams in playoff positions on this day are highly likely to secure a playoff spot.
Historical Trends
Historically, between the 2005-06 season and last season, an impressive 77.1% of teams maintaining a playoff position by this date ultimately made it to the postseason. Last year was particularly indicative of this trend, with six of the eight teams in playoff spots on November 28 managing to remain there by the close of the season.
Current Season Dynamics
However, the current dynamics suggest that this season may challenge that historical narrative. Over the past decade—excluding the pandemic-impacted season—the average point difference between the highest and lowest teams in the Eastern Conference has hovered around 20.4 points. In the Western Conference, that figure stands at approximately 20.5 points, resulting in an NHL average gap of 20.45 points. But as Thanksgiving approaches, we are witnessing a notably smaller eight-point gap in the East, the tightest margin in a decade. The last recorded smallest gap was 14 points, observed last season.
Despite the preceding tight standings, the historical success rate of 77.1% might still apply. The crowded standings could lead to unexpected shifts and outcomes, adding an element of excitement that fans would likely welcome. After all, who wouldn’t prefer the unpredictability of a truly competitive race over the certainty of past statistics?
Proposed Changes to Playoff Discussions
In light of these considerations, I propose that we postpone playoff discussions until a later date. Thanksgiving, when families convene and reflect on gratitude, should not be overshadowed by playoff forecasts. Instead of hastily discussing playoff cutoffs, which typically find their chorus during the Thanksgiving holiday, I suggest we establish the first Monday of December as our official playoff cutoff marker. This adjustment would allow teams a couple more games—between one to three—before we delve into these critical predictions.
So, let’s reserve our playoff debates for December 1, giving Thanksgiving its due respect with discussions more centered around gratitude for the game itself. As we merge into a unique week of NHL hockey with 15 games scheduled for both Wednesday and Friday, it’s clear that the league continues to bustle with excitement during this festive period.
Thanksgiving Themes in Hockey
Notably, on Thanksgiving, we can focus on more meaningful themes related to our appreciation of the sport, such as highlighting players we’d invite to dinner or moments of gratitude in hockey.
Upcoming Games and Player Highlights
Looking ahead to Friday’s games, they promise to be thrilling. The day features an Original Six matchup between the Bruins and the Rangers at 1 PM ET, both teams eager for points. Bruins’ forward Morgan Geekie aims to impress with a strong performance, closely trailing Nathan MacKinnon in the race for the coveted Rocket Richard Trophy. At the same time, the Rangers are on a peculiar home-and-away streak, showcasing their potential away from Madison Square Garden but struggling on home ice.
As we savor the ongoing season, players like New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer are garnering attention for their impressive skills at a young age, displaying a strong ability to read the game and make vital plays. With leading scorers like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor Bedard vying for the top of the point tally, the stage is set for an enthralling season ahead.
Conclusion
Let’s embrace the excitement the NHL offers this Thanksgiving without the dread of playoff odds overshadowing the festivities. And as always, we look forward to the competitive spirit and stories from the ice that continue to captivate fans across the board.
