As the NHL season approaches the quarter mark, coinciding with American Thanksgiving, a clearer playoff picture begins to emerge. This week serves as a reminder that some teams may wish for a do-over as early flaws start to become evident. In the spirit of the holiday season, some teams may not feel thankful at all and are already looking ahead to airing grievances. Here is a breakdown of one Thanksgiving grievance that each NHL team might express at this point in the season.

The Anaheim Ducks could question why exceptional goaltending is being wasted during a challenging season. Despite being among the league leaders in shots allowed per game, goalie Lukas Dostal has maintained the top ranking in Goals Saved Above Expected. Veteran netminder John Gibson has also made a solid comeback from injury, achieving a commendable save percentage alongside Dostal. However, the team’s overall struggles cannot be overlooked, casting a shadow over their impressive goaltending duo.

The Boston Bruins find themselves at the bottom of the league in power-play percentage, a shocking development considering their historical strength in this area. Following the promotion of head coach Joe Sacco, the team has managed to score two power-play goals in two games. The effectiveness of this strategy moving forward remains to be seen.

The Buffalo Sabres might express frustration over the lack of belief in their abilities despite a solid performance despite missing star center Tage Thompson. After completing a successful California road trip, the Sabres now hover around a playoff spot in the competitive Atlantic Division. They have demonstrated convincing gameplay and are eager to sustain this momentum, knowing their track record has not always garnered support.

The Calgary Flames could voice concern regarding potential Calder Trophy snubs for emerging goalie Dustin Wolf. His performance has significantly contributed to the team's strong start, and his increasing ice time reflects his elevated level of play. As he maintains this trajectory, he deserves serious consideration for the league's top rookie award.

The Carolina Hurricanes are facing adversity, particularly in goal. Despite their strong start in the standings, the absence of Freddie Andersen for an estimated 8 to 12 weeks due to injury, coupled with Pyotr Kochetkov's concussion protocol, poses significant challenges. Spencer Martin’s early struggles were concerning, but he has since shown resilience, contributing to a comeback victory in their last game.

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks appears to be experiencing a sophomore slump that raises questions about his line assignments. It seems that head coach Luke Richardson has yet to place Bedard alongside key players brought in to enhance his game, which could be a factor in his current performance slump.

The Colorado Avalanche could express a grievance over injuries to key players early in the season and a complicated goaltending situation. Yet, despite the disruptions, stars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen are still ranking high in point totals. The Avalanche display a tendency to struggle during off nights from their top players, which is a concern as they aim to recover from a less-than-ideal start.

The Columbus Blue Jackets may feel overlooked despite their inconsistency this season. Their strong start seems to be dismissed as merely a fleeting 'feel-good story.' However, the Blue Jackets are closely contending for playoff positions alongside teams like the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, showcasing explosive offensive potential in their recent three-game win streak, particularly impressive victories over top teams.

The Dallas Stars are thriving with a well-rounded team approach. They rank among the best defensive units, yet there remains a desire for an individual player to break out offensively. This depth has served them well, with youth players expected to shine in the playoffs rather than the regular season.

The Detroit Red Wings may struggle to identify specific grievances given limited success so far this season. Despite sporadic power-play success, the team faces challenges at five-on-five, grappling with extended periods of offensive stagnation that hinder their competitiveness.

The Edmonton Oilers are expressing frustration over a struggling offense, which is not what anyone expected from a team typically recognized for its goal-scoring prowess. Currently averaging only 2.91 goals per game, the Oilers find themselves in the middle of the league standings, needing to find their rhythm offensively.

The Florida Panthers may wish to convey that, despite a midseason slump, their early-season points cushion them in a weak division. Although they currently trail the Toronto Maple Leafs in the standings, they are confident that a return to form will not be difficult given their earlier success.

The LA Kings' performance has raised questions, as their inconsistency persists from game to game. One minute they play like one of the league’s elite teams, and the next, they falter against lesser opponents. Their recent loss to the San Jose Sharks only exacerbates concerns regarding their focus and effort levels.

The Minnesota Wild are shaking off previous concerns and proving to be everything a playoff caliber team should be. Having engaged fans with entertaining performances, they look poised for a potential postseason push as the season progresses.

The Montreal Canadiens find themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, much as expected, but recent improvements suggest a higher degree of competitiveness leading into the return of star forward Patrik Laine. Their progress in recent games might just signal better results ahead.

The Nashville Predators could be expressing grievances over their all-around performance, particularly at even strength. Struggling significantly has affected the play of established scorers like Jonathan Marchessault and Filip Forsberg as the team grapples with a lack of scoring power and sustainability.

The New Jersey Devils have had a rollercoaster of a season thus far. They showcased initial dominance, then slipped into inconsistency, and have recently shown signs of regaining form. Their current trajectory may align with preseason expectations now that they have settled into a routine after offseason changes.

The New York Islanders may be concerned that their late-game collapses will haunt them throughout the season. Allowing late goals that lead to overtime or losses has become a pattern, as demonstrated in a recent game against the Red Wings. Consistency in closing out games will be crucial for their playoff aspirations.

The New York Rangers are in a peculiar situation regarding their leadership. With whispers of potential trades involving both captain Jacob Trouba and forward Chris Kreider, the team appears uncertain regarding its veteran leadership direction, raising questions about their long-term strategy.

The Ottawa Senators face scrutiny as both Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have struggled significantly this season. Swayman's challenges are receiving more attention, but Ullmark's subpar performance is also contributing to the team's attempts to solidify their playoff positioning. A return to form for Ulmark is necessary for success moving forward.

The Philadelphia Flyers' struggles this season were somewhat predicted, especially regarding their goaltending woes. With Sam Ersson injured, the team’s thin depth chart has become evident as they struggle to find wins while also contending with the talents of rising star Matvei Michkov.

Conversations surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins season would surely address the age-old notion that a two-goal lead can be the most dangerous lead. As their season progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that many fans are waiting for them to regain their form amid concerning inconsistencies.

As the San Jose Sharks celebrated the retirement of Joe Thornton's No. 19 jersey, emotions were high with memories of the franchise’s storied history. The team seems to be turning a new page with rookie Macklin Celebrini entering the league alongside a new era of players.

The Seattle Kraken might reflect on the role of their backup goaltender, Joey Daccord, in providing stability this season, especially as starting goalie Philipp Grubauer struggles with a 1-6-0 record. The team's performance threshold vastly shifts depending on who is in net, underscoring the importance of Daccord's role thus far.

The St. Louis Blues entered the season with high hopes for their roster, but injuries have hampered their progress. However, with some recent victories under new head coach Jim Montgomery's leadership, there are signs of a resurgence. A strong showing against the Rangers indicates the potential for a turnaround.

Despite their challenging schedule, the Tampa Bay Lightning's results remain mixed. As one of the league’s top teams, they are still finding success against formidable opponents. The recent strategic adjustments may have led to momentum after a decisive victory over the Avalanche.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are presently enjoying a successful stretch, even in the absence of their captain, Auston Matthews. Their performance, however, continues to draw scrutiny and speculation from fans regarding potential trade discussions and player management decisions amid their current success.

The Vancouver Canucks are experiencing the predicted struggles following the absence of key players such as Thatcher Demko. While not performing as poorly as some feared, their regression could draw attention, yet the team remains competitive within the league.

As Jack Eichel continues his strong start to the season, which is arguably the best of his career, the Vegas Golden Knights are reaping the rewards of smart player acquisitions that have seemingly clicked. With multiple significant roster changes, fans are eager to see if the season will yield positive results.

The Washington Capitals face challenges with the injury to star player Alexander Ovechkin, happening just as he was leading the league in goals at age 39 and was on track to break scoring records. Despite this, the Capitals are defying expectations with strong performances that keep them competitive even in Ovechkin's absence.

The Winnipeg Jets, with a record reflecting recent success, face the unique issue of maintaining consistency despite their current standing as one of the league leaders. Following a record-breaking start, there remains cautious optimism as they look to build on their achievements.