Standings at US Thanksgiving, who makes the final cut?

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

A team can't win the Cup in November, but they can lose it.



since the '04 lockout 77% of teams that are in the playoffs at US Thanksgiving make it. Last year, it was 14/16 teams so 88% (Wild and Panthers in for Flames and Wings). Here's your standings as of today:

My thoughts are 6 of 8 teams in the East (Devils and Pens in for Caps and Wings). But it wouldn't surprise me if one or both of Pens or Devils missed, they're both playing poorly.

The West, I'll say 7 of 8. Calgary in for Kraken (though it wouldn't surprise me if the Wild made a jump or Kraken kept their spot).

Click to read more...

 

[Ezekial]

Obviously the Wings seem like the team that won't be there in the end in the east but since it's 77% I'll say Wings and Capitals. Pretty obvious choices in the East.

West only seems like at most maybe 1 of the current playoff teams could fall off and miss

 

[Sticksandsun]

Penguins and Devils both look terrible, I'd have NYI over them.

 

[forsbergavs32]

Obviously things can change but to me the West is pretty close to what we see come April unless one of St. Louis or Seattle have a rough patch or one of Anaheim, Arizona or Calgary go on a run.

The East is a lot closer so hard to make a call there. I'll say Philly in, Detroit out.

 

[TLEH]

Think Seattle and St Louis both go through some rough patches and Wild and Oilers get in.

 

[jackjohnson]

Think Seattle and St Louis both go through some rough patches and Wild and Oilers get in.

I don't see Oilers getting in to be honest. They have just too many problems to fix. Aside for goaltending they need to fix their defensive system and upgrade that blueline and McDavid is clearly injured. I just don't see how they can fix all of that this season and before it's too late which I think it is

 

[jackjohnson]

For west the top 6 will be in playoffs for sure. I think the last 2 wild cards could swap spots with Calgary and Anaheim but those 4 will be bubble team. Sorry Oilers fans but your team won't make it. Too big of a hole now and too many problems to fix. If they lose the next 3 or 4 games which they can, they are done like dinner. You can't lose this much early in the season when games are easier to play then play catch-up the rest of the way when games get tougher closer to playoffs. It's just not possible and many will point to Blues being an example of a team to defy the odds and I will point my finger to their stacked D, great goaltending and depth on forward. Oilers just aren't that team

 

[thaman8765678]

The Oilers are making a big push with their new coach.

 

[jackjohnson]

The Oilers are making a big push with their new coach.

Don't see it. Their new coach has a record of 2-3 now. Pickard is just not an NHL goalie and Skinner has not been good this season. They have terrible defensive system like the Canucks the past 2 years.

 

[TLEH]

Certainly possible they don't. They get league average goaltending and they are right there. Even with their defensive issues.

 

[Czechboy]

Caps, Wings and Nucks. All having better seasons than I expected. Good for them!

Oilers and Devils are much worse than I expected. In one case, I blame management (Oilers). In the other case (Devils), I thought management did a splendid job.

 

[Duder54]

Think Seattle and St Louis both go through some rough patches and Wild and Oilers get in.

Oilers fan here. I don’t believe for a second that they are even remotely good enough this year to get into a playoff spot. They can’t play defence and their goalies can’t stop a beachball. Add to that the fact that darn near half their forward group belongs in the AHL and it’s not a recipe for success.

 

[jackjohnson]

Certainly possible they don't. They get league average goaltending and they are right there. Even with their defensive issues.

I don't see them being right there. Did you watch today's game? They only got close once Canes went to sleep after that 5-1 score line. Drai looks so lazy like he has given up and the hole is only getting bigger. They need to win 10 in a row to get back

 

[Hank Plank]

Through the fish-eyed lens...

 

[JKG33]

The west is set. Swap the Wings for the Pens in the east.

 

[jackjohnson]

Oilers fan here. I don’t believe for a second that they are even remotely good enough this year to get into a playoff spot. They can’t play defence and their goalies can’t stop a beachball. Add to that the fact that darn near half their forward group belongs in the AHL and it’s not a recipe for success.

Thankgod an Oilers fan sees what I see. I say this because I have seen Canucks play similar to Oilers the past 2 years and not make it even when they went on a heater. Their defensive system and dmen are to blame. Drai and McDavid need to play better defense. There is no buy in for team defense and that problem won't get resolved within the season imo.

 

[olli]

Didn’t realize the west so bad that a .500 team would be in a playoff position wow… The oilers actually still have a better chance than many might think

 

[StreetHawk]

Ana and AZ have played well compared to their expectations, which were low because of last season, but let's also acknowledge that they are getting just under a PPG now. Pacing for just 80 points this season. Cal, they haven't decided on a direction, but unless they are solidly into a PO spot, they will sell come Feb. After the Flames, not sure I see a team ready for a run. Minny is a surprise to me that they are that far behind now, but maybe those 2 big dead caps are finally catching up to the team. Only main change I think about for Minny is Dumba out. Edm, been a mess all season. Blues are pacing for 95 points. So, it's the 82 point pace of the Kraken that Edm and all other clubs are eying.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Ana and AZ have played well compared to their expectations, which were low because of last season, but let's also acknowledge that they are getting just under a PPG now. Pacing for just 80 points this season. Cal, they haven't decided on a direction, but unless they are solidly into a PO spot, they will sell come Feb. After the Flames, not sure I see a team ready for a run. Minny is a surprise to me that they are that far behind now, but maybe those 2 big dead caps are finally catching up to the team. Only main change I think about for Minny is Dumba out. Edm, been a mess all season. Blues are pacing for 95 points. So, it's the 82 point pace of the Kraken that Edm and all other clubs are eying.

The Wild had injury issues to start the season, Spurgeon, Boldy, Gaudreau, and Goligoski all on IR at points and all but Goligoski now back in the lineup. They were playing over $32MM below the cap limit because of those injuries and basically had very limited call up options because of it. They do need the top guns to get back on track, Kap is not fully healthy and Boldy hasn't gotten back to form yet, but there are enough other guys playing well on the roster to think that a bounce back is possible and they could make a strong push throughout the rest of the season.

 

[holy]

Habs make second wild card, lfg.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

West looks about right.

Think the Caps and Wings fall out in the east for New Jersey and Pittsburgh.

 

[catters078]

All you fans in traditional/Canadian markets don't be too surprised if we get the same final 4 as last year.

All 4 teams from last years conf finals are in strong early positions.

 

[Super Cake]

I guess i don't pay attention the standings that much cause i thought the Devils were having a good season so far. I didn't think they would be like 4 points out of a playoff spot.

 

[TLEH]

Oilers fan here. I don’t believe for a second that they are even remotely good enough this year to get into a playoff spot. They can’t play defence and their goalies can’t stop a beachball. Add to that the fact that darn near half their forward group belongs in the AHL and it’s not a recipe for success.

I mean yeah its a long shot. 88% of the teams made it last year. Got to pick someone though. McDavid gets healthy, PP starts clicking and maybe they can get it rolling.

 

[Old Boys Club]

One of NJ/Pit in, Det out. Rest stay the same.