There is a mantra of sorts around the NHL that says that those teams that would be in the playoffs as of Thanksgiving (U.S. version, of course), are typically those teams that are actually in the playoffs come the conclusion of the regular season. The truth and wisdom of this mantra have been time tested, which is not to say that this is absolute: there are teams that will drop off and others that will climb their way in after the holiday, the Los Angeles Kings in years past being the most noteworthy of these examples. Yet, when its all said and done, the majority of NHL playoff teams will be the same teams that were in playoff positions on turkey day.
Panthers at the quarter pole: A review of the first twenty games
