Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason can read a calendar.
His team was predicted by many to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth straight season and for the 11th time in 12 seasons. But the Wild were seven points out of a playoff spot on Nov. 23, a.k.a. American Thanksgiving.
"Everything's absolutely negative around everything. But we can't be negative," he said. "If we just continue to stay that way, then we're not going to get out of this. We have to have a little push back."
It's hard not to feel pessimistic for any team that's outside of the playoff picture on Turkey Day.