As Thanksgiving week approaches in the United States, a significant time for both large family gatherings and culinary preparations, the focus shifts for hockey enthusiasts to the implications of this period in the NHL season. Historical trends indicate that teams holding playoff positions during this holiday week, marking the quarter-pole of the season, tend to maintain their standings as the season progresses towards its conclusion in the spring. This trend is apparent for several teams across the league, with six of the eight playoff contenders currently mirroring their postseason presence from the previous season, including the New York Rangers, the Dallas Stars, and the Florida Panthers, who clinched the Stanley Cup title in 2023-24. New entrants to the playoff picture comprise the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference, along with the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames in the West. Notably, the Sabres, who are vying for the second wild-card position in the East, aim to break a streak of 13 seasons without a playoff appearance.

In an effort to gauge current team standings, the analysts at Moneyline convened to establish a ranking based on recent performances. Points were awarded on a descending scale, with 32 points for first place down to a single point for the last position. The results of this week's voting reflect ongoing challenges and triumphs experienced by various teams. The Chicago Blackhawks, maintaining their position at the bottom with a record of 7-12-2, continue to struggle after squandering a two-goal lead against the Philadelphia Flyers, resulting in an overall road record of 0-3-1 in recent games. Defensive lapses in the final period have plagued the team, allowing multiple goals in this critical stretch.

Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators, currently ranked 31st with a record of 7-12-3, have found themselves on a downward trajectory after suffering five losses in seven games, including a 5-2 setback against the New Jersey Devils where starting goaltender Juuse Saros was replaced after two periods. The Pittsburgh Penguins have also encountered difficulties, experiencing an alarming trend following Sidney Crosby's milestone 600th goal celebration, leading to a series of disappointing performances, including a 6-1 defeat against the San Jose Sharks. Conversely, the Sharks' rookie, Macklin Celebrini, achieved a notable milestone by recording his first three-point game in a commanding victory over the Los Angeles Kings. This pattern of performances illustrates the volatility and unpredictability that characterizes the NHL, especially as teams strive for consistency and improved results as the season edges toward the holiday break.