Arda Ocal, ESPN Staff WriterNov 22, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
As we approach the end of the second calendar month in the 2024-25 NHL season, we also march towards "Thanksgiving playoff cutoff" season. So get your postseason team takes ready, because now's the time to sling them. North of 75% of teams in the last 10 seasons that were in a playoff position by (American) Thanksgiving stayed in one by the end of that season.
That's very good news for teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, who many wrote off at the start of the season as teams on the outside looking in for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, the mythical Thanksgiving marker has no bearing on our ESPN NHL Power Rankings, which are once again led by the Winnipeg Jets. But in addition to an updated set of rankings this week, we are identifying the one item for which every team is thankful this season, whether it's particular players, trends or a particular piece of hockey equipment.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 15. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 84.21%
Thankful for: A counterpunch. A lot of attention has been put on the team's greatest start in NHL history, and rightfully so. But this week, Winnipeg suffered a 5-0 loss to the Panthers. The fans chanted "overrated" to the Jets team as the reigning Stanley Cup champs trounced them. But two days later, the Jets got their revenge in the heavyweight home-and-home series, going up 3-0 before doubling up the Cats to win 6-3. A big response against a team that is battling for tops in the opposite conference.
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 22), @ NSH (Nov. 23), @ MIN (Nov. 25), @ LA (Nov. 27)
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 73.68%
Thankful for: A 13-game point streak for Martin Necas. OK, yes, the Canes have a lot to be thankful for right now. Second in the Metro Division, proving all those preseason prognostications wrong, but I wanted to throw some flowers to Necas. With a lot of the spotlight elsewhere around the league, Necas quietly put together an awesome 13-game point streak, amassing 27 points. He has gone pointless in only three games so far this season.
What a rollercoaster ride for Necas -- from almost being traded to signing a two-year bridge deal to leaping out of the gate.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Nov. 23), vs. DAL (Nov. 25), vs. NYR (Nov. 27)
3. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 76.32%
Thankful for: The protective cup. Sure, I could have chosen the Wild's amazing start, Filip Gustavsson cruising (including a goalie goal) but Marcus Foligno gave us some absolutely wild information about Mats Zuccarello in an appearance on a Minnesota radio station. Zuccarello has been out of the lineup due to taking a puck to the groin, rupturing a testicle.
"We thought he was gonna lose one nut, but it actually survived and he's got them both still," Foligno said on 93X. "Poor guy got hit where the sun don't shine and it ruptured his testicle. He can't even lift anything." Foligno added that Zuccarello's cup had a "massive dent in it." This is yet another reminder that hockey players are incredibly tough.
Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 23), vs. WPG (Nov. 25), @ BUF (Nov. 27)
4. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 71.05%
Thankful for: It's only "week to week." Alex Ovechkin is off to the best season of his illustrious career -- 15 goals in 18 games. He is 26 goals away from catching Wayne Gretzky for the career goal-scoring record. In his last game against Utah, he tied Jaromir Jagr for the record for most goalies scored on in NHL history, with 178 -- then, a collision with Jack McBain left Ovi on the ice, favoring his leg, and he didn't return to the game.
He is currently "week to week," with the estimate being that he will return in four to six. The way the Great 8 has started this season and how incredibly motivated he looked to catch 99 this season, hockey fans are all thankful that he is not projected to be out for a much longer time.
We are now in that record-chasing zone where every Ovi game is an event, countdown graphics on screen at all times, think pieces popping up everywhere about his career and tallies. The Caps, Washington fans and hockey fans in general are thankful for the blistering start and hopeful for a quick return.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 23), @ FLA (Nov. 25), @ TB (Nov. 27)
5. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 62.50%
Thankful for: No Stanley Cup hangover. The Cats picked up this season where they left off as one of the best teams in hockey. Where some teams might experience a lag, the Cats kept their foot on the gas, starting the season 12-6-1. Coming off his 57-goal career season, Sam Reinhart is fourth in the league with 30 points, and tied for the league lead in goals, with 15; his current goals pace would land him at 62 by season's end.
Next seven days: vs. COL (Nov. 23), vs. WSH (Nov. 25), vs. TOR (Nov. 27)
6. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 69.44%
Thankful for: The best goalie tandem in the league. The Rangers could be thankful for a lot of things, including good news about Filip Chytil's injury, and having one of the best lines in hockey skating as their third line (the only line in the NHL coming into this week that had not allowed a goal while on the ice with more than 100 minutes played). But in one of the most important positions in sports, the Rangers are getting stellar performances from backup Jonathan Quick (four starts, four wins, .970 save percentage). Franchise netminder Igor Shesterkin is at a .914 save percentage, with a 8-5-1 record.
Shesterkin, I'm sure, is also thankful for the possible giant leap in the NHL's salary cap coming next season, as he eyes a contract extension.
Next seven days: @ EDM (Nov. 23), vs. STL (Nov. 25), @ CAR (Nov. 27)
7. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 63.64%
Thankful for: A new nickname? Be honest; who reading this right now has ever called Martin Brodeur "Satan's Wallpaper," let alone ever heard of that nickname? It became a hot topic when it showed up as a clue on Jeopardy! earlier this month. Brodeur himself didn't know about it. One of the contestants, the eventual winner, got the clue right (an educated guess?) "Satan's Wallpaper", though, has appeared in the wild a couple times -- in a 2009 Bleacher Report article, and in Rolling Stone in 2016.
Maybe the nickname can apply to this Devils team, which is cruising with a 12-7-2 record, going 8-4 on the road. Nico Hischier has 10 goals, 10 assists and is a plus-10.
Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 23), vs. NSH (Nov. 25), vs. STL (Nov. 27)
8. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 66.67%
Thankful for: Jason Robertson getting on the board. The California native dipped 29 points from a whopping 109 (and 46 goals) in 2022-23 to 80 last season. That's still a terrific number. But Robertson had been struggling to find the back of the net lately, going nine games without a tally, finally getting off the schneid Wednesday against San Jose in a three-point effort. His linemates Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz also tallied. The second line of Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment is doing the lion's share of the production so far this season, so it is good to see Robertson potentially start heating up.
Next seven days: @ TB (Nov. 23), @ CAR (Nov. 25), @ CHI (Nov. 27)
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 65.00%
Thankful for: An Auston Matthews-less hot streak. The Leafs lost their star scorer, who has been out with an upper-body injury since Nov. 5. He's out of the lineup and out of the country, receiving treatment in Germany. Without No. 34 in the lineup, the Leafs have been red hot, going 5-1 including wins over the Capitals, Golden Knights and Oilers.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (Nov. 24), @ FLA (Nov. 27)
10. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 65.00%
Thankful for: A strong start. Vegas is still the top team in the Pacific, with a 12-6-2 record. And a big part of that is that October was even better than November, in part because Mark Stone was in the lineup and the top line was playing at an elite level. Stone, who has dealt with his share of injuries in his career, was day-to-day with a lower-body injury since Nov. 8 and was placed on IR this week.
The Knights have lost three of their last six games, with all three losses by three goals (including their first shutout loss of the season Wednesday to the Leafs).
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 23), @ PHI (Nov. 25), @ COL (Nov. 27)
11. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 57.50%
Thankful for: More time at home. The Kings started the season with seven straight games on the road, and didn't have their home opener until Oct. 24.The team was able to spend a lot more time at home in November, with a couple quicker road trips and California rival stops. As they say, there's no place like home, and the Kings have lost just once in regulation so far at Crypto.com Arena this season. The team has another two-week stretch on the road in mid December, so it'll be vital to bank some home wins around that.
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Nov. 23), @ SJ (Nov. 25), vs. WPG (Nov. 27)
12. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.11%
Thankful for: Point in warmups. The Bolts were without the services of one of their best players, Brayden Point, for four games due to a lower-body injury. The top-line center returned on Tuesday against Pittsburgh and scored two goals, including the overtime winner, as Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. Point has 10 goals in 13 games as Tampa Bay now sits third in the Atlantic Division with a 10-6-2 record.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 23), vs. COL (Nov. 25), vs. WSH (Nov. 27)
13. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 58.33%
Thankful for: Elias Pettersson and ... Elias Pettersson. I could focus on how Elias Pettersson has found his old game lately, with points in five of his last six games, but we almost had a situation where two players named Elias Pettersson suited up for the same team; the Canucks' franchise center, along with the 2022 third-rounder who plays defense. Just imagine how fun that would have been for play-by-play announcer John Shorthouse -- sort of like when both Sebastian Ahos are playing against each other.
Next seven days: @ OTT (Nov. 23), @ BOS (Nov. 26), @ PIT (Nov. 27)
14. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 52.38%
Thankful for: A bounce back. For the second straight autumn, the Oilers stumbled out of the gate to begin the regular season. But the Oilers seem to be trending back into the right direction, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Connor McDavid has 14 points in his last six. Of the last 12 games, Leon Draisaitl has had multiple points in eight of them. Edmonton is fourth in the Pacific, but it doesn't feel like the doom and gloom from the first couple weeks of October.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Nov. 23)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 62.50%
Thankful for: Hungry like the Wolf. The Flames parted ways with starting goalie Jacob Markstrom in June. Dustin Wolf, who played 17 games last season, has earned more starts this season and has been gaining acclaim. With a 8-2-1 record and .926 save percentage, the 23-year-old has forced his way into the discussion for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year; he would be the first goalie in well over a decade to earn that honor.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 23), @ OTT (Nov. 25), @ DET (Nov. 27)
16. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.00%
Thankful for: The superstars. Cale Makar led the league in scoring early in the season. He's still in the top 10, tied at 28 points with teammate Mikko Rantanen. Nathan MacKinnon leads the way, with 34 points (and a league-topping 27 assists). That level of production is necessary for the Avs to stay competitive, as goaltending has been a concern. Both Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen are below .890 in save percentage.
The Avs currently have a minus-6 goal differential, and they haven't ended a season in the red since 2016-17 (also the last time they didn't make the playoffs).
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 23), @ TB (Nov. 25), vs. VGK (Nov. 27)
17. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.50%
Thankful for: Home sweet home. The Kraken are 6-4-1 at Climate Pledge Arena and 3-5-0 away from it. Most recently, Seattle has won four of its last five games at home, coming off of a brutal road trip that started with a bang, an 8-2 trouncing of Montreal, but was followed up with four straight losses to Toronto, Ottawa, Boston and Colorado. If this team wants to make a serious run at a playoff spot, they'll need to stack wins in all places.
Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 23), @ ANA (Nov. 25), vs. ANA (Nov. 27)
18. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 47.50%
Thankful for: Pierre Engvall's demotion to promotion. Engvall spent 15 games in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies before spending the next four entire seasons in the NHL. However, Engvall lost his spot in Islanders training camp, and was sent to the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders for a stint. He has come alive in his most recent stretch, with goals in three consecutive games. With Engvall's $3 million per year deal not expiring until 2029-30, seeing the big winger productive is a great thing for Isles fans.
Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 23), vs. DET (Nov. 25), vs. BOS (Nov. 27)
19. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 44.74%
Thankful for: A new arena (?). As someone who lived in the Ottawa area for a short period of time, I can say that the prospect of an arena in the downtown core is exciting -- the current suburb locale isn't exactly ideal. Commissioner Gary Bettman is in Ottawa this week, taking several meetings including with Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and touring LeBreton Flats, the site for the proposed new arena that was agreed to by the club and the National Capital Commission last September.
Hopefully there is more to be thankful for in Canada's capital city soon.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (Nov. 23), vs. CGY (Nov. 25), @ SJ (Nov. 27)
20. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Accountability. The Bruins fired head coach Jim Montgomery after just over two seasons. He leaves behind the third best points percentage (.715 with a 120-41-23 record) in franchise history, but won just one playoff round. The team's stars, including David Pastrnak, were reflective post-dismissal and put the onus on themselves.
"We weren't getting the job done, and because we weren't getting it done, we lost a great coach and a great human being," Pastrnak said. Captain Brad Marchand added, "This is a reflection of our play and it was avoidable. And I think that's the tough part about this, is that if we would have done our job in here, he'd still be around."
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 23), vs. VAN (Nov. 26), @ NYI (Nov. 27)
21. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Maturity. The Sabres aren't playing their best hockey at the moment, and Tage Thompson let it be known. Speaking with Field Level Media, Thompson said "It's all about consistency right now. We know when we commit to playing the right way we're good, and right now I think it's just us being a little immature, just thinking we're better than we are, instead of relying on what's gotten us results."
The Sabres are 8-9-1 overall, and 5-5 in their last 10. But the number that keeps haunting the club is 13, which is how many years that great city hasn't seen playoff hockey.
Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 22), @ SJ (Nov. 23), vs. MIN (Nov. 27)
22. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 44.74%
Thankful for: Passionate fans. On Nov. 15, Utah HC jersey were on sale for the first time at the team store, and fans reportedly lined up around the block to pick up their threads. Not only did they set a Delta Center retail sales record, but it ended up becoming the second highest NHL single game merchandise sales total ever! Only Game 5 in Vegas during the 2023 Stanley Cup Final was higher, and that was a Cup-clinching game. You love to see it.
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 23), @ TOR (Nov. 24), @ MTL (Nov. 26)
23. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Thanksgiving. The Ducks are probably the team most thankful for that "if you're in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving, you're in great shape" stat we always talk about this time of the year. The Ducks are only three points out of a postseason slot with three games before Turkey day on the docket, including a home-and-home with Seattle, who are ahead of them by one point. It's possible they are in a wild-card spot by Nov. 28, and get sprinkled some of that magical playoff hope pixie dust.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 22), vs. SEA (Nov. 25), @ SEA (Nov. 27)
24. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 45.00%
Thankful for: Translators. Matvei Michkov had a lot of buzz coming into the NHL this season, and with Macklin Celebrini missing some time due to injury early in the season, the Flyers forward gained some early Calder Trophy momentum. Michkov has 15 points in 18 games, despite sitting a couple games. Part of head coach John Tortorella's plan is to have weekly meetings with the 19-year-old winger where they hear each other out -- which is where the translators come into the picture.
Michkov recently became the youngest Flyers player to score an overtime game winner, and has been every bit as good as that preseason buzz would have us believe.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 23), vs. VGK (Nov. 25), @ NSH (Nov. 27)
25. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 45.24%
Thankful for: Robert Thomas' return. The Blues center missed 12 games due to a fractured right ankle and surprisingly returned to the lineup on Tuesday, notching an assist in the Blues 4-2 loss to the Wild. Thomas said he felt good on the ice: "I invested a lot in myself, and I'm pretty happy with the result and getting back so soon. I'm excited to be back in the lineup and look forward to getting in the trenches with the guys."
The original reported absence was six weeks, but Thomas, who was injured on Oct 22 while blocking a shot against Winnipeg, skated with the team on Nov. 13 and played his first game back a week later.
Next seven days: @ NYI (Nov. 23), @ NYR (Nov. 25), @ NJ (Nov. 27)
26. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 47.37%
Thankful for: Getting out of California. The Wings had a dreadful west coast swing, losing three straight games to the California teams: 6-4 to Anaheim, following by 4-1 to the Kings then 5-4 in overtime to the Sharks, witnessing Macklin Celebrini's first career overtime goal.
All of those would have been valuable points to snag given that the Red Wings want to make the leap back into the playoffs this season, but Detroit instead returns home with a 7-9-2 record, second to last in the Atlantic. Their first game back home was successful, a 2-1 win over the Islanders.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 23), @ NYI (Nov. 25), vs. CGY (Nov. 27)
27. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 47.37%
Thankful for: Playing spoiler. The Blue Jackets find themselves in familiar territory again this season, hovering around the bottom of the Metro division. The Stadium Series game on March 1 will be terrific without a doubt, Ohio Stadium will be jumping, and that will be a highlight for every hockey fan.
But aside from that, it appears that they'll be focused on spoiling things for playoff hopefuls; most recently, it was a 5-1 drubbing of the Bruins in Boston -- a game which ultimately became Jim Montgomery's final one as Bruins head coach -- and a 7-6 win over the Lightning.
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 23), vs. MTL (Nov. 27)
28. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 42.86%
Thankful for: Dismissing trolls. One of the hockey memes that has made the rounds on social media right now is Sidney Crosby photoshopped in a Colorado Avalanche jersey. Could it actually happen?
Despite Pens GM Kyle Dubas reportedly saying "everyone is available (for trade) but Crosby", what if Sid links up with his Cole Harbor buddy Nate MacKinnon and they chase a Cup together? Has a nice "last dance" kind of feel for Sid, doesn't it?
But despite the Penguins looking in dire straits at the moment and possibly in some form of sell mode -- Lars Eller was traded to Washington last week -- seeing Crosby in any other sweater remains only in the realm of fantasy.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 22), vs. UTA (Nov. 23), vs. VAN (Nov. 27)
29. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 42.11%
Thankful for: A Laine sighting. Montreal's big offseason acquisition, Patrik Laine, skated with the team on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a left knee sprain. Though coach Martin St. Louis doesn't have a timetable for Laine's return to the lineup, Habs players noted that it was encouraging to see the former 40-goal scorer back on the ice.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 23), vs. UTA (Nov. 26), @ CBJ (Nov. 27)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 37.50%
Thankful for: The long-term Predators. The Preds had the busiest offseason of any team in the NHL, picking up three league veterans in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan MArchessault and Brady Skjei. Their start with the Preds hasn't been ideal. A bright spot for the team has been two guys that have consistently been good for Nashville for over a decade: Filip Forsberg, who leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 15 points, and Roman Josi, who is right behind him with 14. Marchessault and Stamkos both sit at 10 points in 20 games, well below their respective career averages.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 23), @ NJ (Nov. 25), vs. PHI (Nov. 27)
31. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 38.64%
Thankful for: Return of the Mack(lin). That first career overtime goal had to feel extra special for Macklin Celebrini, who was pointless in four games leading up to that game against Detroit. The No. 1 overall pick returned to the Sharks' lineup on Nov. 5, after being injured in his first NHL game on Oct. 10 and sitting out for nearly a month.
He's had five points in nine games since his return, and he's also been preventing goalie goals, to which one particular victim, Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers, joked about the 18-year-old "(he should) be in school."
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 23), vs. LA (Nov. 25), vs. OTT (Nov. 27)
32. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 37.50%
Thankful for: Creative photo shoots. A lot has been made about Connor Bedard's frustration. "Losing is not fun, so we've obviously got to figure it out. We're not just going to be happy that we stayed in a game. We're all NHL players. That's not the goal, you know? It's frustrating."
One moment of levity came from Chicago Magazine. For their feature article on the 19-year-old, they spoofed a scene from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," where Cameron Frye (played by Alan Ruck) is looking at Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," in a Gordie Howe sweater. Bedard is doing the same, in his own jersey.
Next seven days: @ PHI (Nov. 23), vs. DAL (Nov. 27)
