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When asked why the Edmonton Oilers to Todd McLellan fired earlier this week, the general manager Peter Chiarelli made reference to the fact that the U.S. Thanksgiving Day was going & # 39; and the team has not been a playoff spot.
For years, the holiday has a crystal ball into the future.
If you're in the place & # 39; playoff until the third week & # 39; In November, the chances are that you will continue & # 39; so when the season ends. Then again Other & # 39;, not hard and fast rule. The last year, five teams finished the post & # 39; playoff after Thanksgiving.
Who knows, this year can & # 39; there are several teams switch places.
With holiday behind us, here are five teams that could be on the rise and fifth in danger of crashing hard:
RANGERS FOR & # 39; NEW YORK
Second in the Metropolitan Division
Arrived here: It was to be a year & # 39; reconstruction for Rangers. Instead, they are linked to Blue Jacket for the best place in the Central Division. Henrik Lundqvist (.919 save percentage) deserves most of the credit, but it was veterans like Chris Kreider (making 12) and Mika Zibanejad (19 points) acting as a stopgap until the young are ready to take f & # 39; hands.
Why might fall: The Rangers benefited from playing in & # 39; weak division where the Penguins and Flyers are struggling and Do not seem like the same team that made the playoffs last season. If any of those three teams wake up, New York will be in trouble.
BUFFALO saber
The third in the Atlantic Division
Arrived here: After finishing with the worst record last season, the Sabers entered in Recognition & # 39; the United States with the third best record in the NHL, thanks to strip & # 39; Winning & # 39; seven & # 39; game. Much of their success came from their main line. Jack Eichel leads the team with & # 39; 25 points, while Jeff Skinner is tied for second in the Rocket Richard Trophy race with 15 purpose.
Why might fall: Skinner has a percentage of & # 39; & # 39 shooting; 21.1, which is twice the average of his career. If you stop scoring, the lack of & # 39; & # 39 secondary offense; Sabers can & # 39; escape them. In addition, there are questions whether Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark can continue along .912 save percentage for the entire year.
KANADIENS OF & # 39; MONTREAL
Second Wild Card Spot in Eastern Conference
Arrived here: Give it to Marc Bergevin. The GM & # 39; Canadiens was criticized businesses of its past, but the deals to bring Max Domi (11 scope and 26 points) and Tomas Tatar (nine & # 39; goals and 17 point) to Montreal worked better than anyone can & # 39; imagine. The fact that Carey Price makes his best hockey – or even Shea Weber had played – means that not even seen the best yet from this team.
Why might fall: While it is nice to win though Montreal is the price of & # 39; .895 save percentage, the netminder will finally be his old self if the Canadiens hope to make the playoffs. After all, m & # 39; is like Plan B team must rotate.
BOSTON Bruins
The first place of the wild card in the Eastern Conference
Arrived here: The line & # 39; re on the Bruins had their best weapon. David PASTRNAK leads the NHL with & # 39; 17 purpose, while Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for 15 goal and 47 points. And with & # 39; Tuukka Rask still finds his game, Jaroslav HALÁK added and added .935 save percentage.
Why might fall: Injuries will test the Bruins in the coming weeks. Bergeron, Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy are few names out of the lineup. That three of their top five players. If Rask does not increase and save the day, Boston & # 39 can easily tiżrex the challenge.
ANAHEIM Ducks
The third in the Pacific Division
Arrived here: Let niffaċċjawha: the Pacific Division is a joke. Catches third place playing record sixth best – and be out of the playoffs – if they were in the Central Division or the Atlantic. That being said, Anaheim is where it is today because John Gibson (.927 save percentage), to win the Vezina, and the Hart Trophy, if it keeps abreast.
Why might fall: The scorer of & # 39; Anaheim (Ryan Getzlaf) has six goals and 16 points. By Friday morning, 90 players had more goals. That will not reduces it. Nor is the fact that the Ducks have a difference minus 16 (!) In the end the difference.
PITTSBURGH Penguins
8 in Eastern Conference
Arrived here: It can & # 39; unsettle the mere fact that Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel objective ikkombinaw 27 and 75 points. And b & # 39; difference other teams to align their stars on one line, Crosby, Malkin and Kessel are not even playing together. In other words, looked at Matt Murray & # 39; s .877 save percentage as the main culprit.
Why may be moving: Never bet against Crosby, Malkin and Kessel especially when they are surrounding. Obviously, the penguins need to Murray, who is now out weeks b & # 39; the lower body injury, to play better when they return. Until then, it is in & # 39; hands Casey DeSmith (.924 save percentage) to restore back to Pittsburgh.
PHILADELPHIA flyers
9 in Eastern Conference
Arrived here: It was a familiar problem in & # 39; Filadelphia, where the achievement of the targets was the story of the year for all the wrong reasons. The team, which has the second worst goals – against average (3.62) in the league, has already used four & # 39; different caretakers.
Why may be moving: The team still took back James van Riemsdyk, who scored the goal and two assistances in & # 39; & # 39 losses, overtime 6-5 to the Lightning. And while goaltending naqashom for most of the year, Brian Elliott has allowed two or fewer goals in & # 39; each of the last seven & # 39; outset. He needs to hold if the Flyers hope to make the seemingly impossible climb in the standings.
VANCOUVER Canucks
9th in Western Conference
Arrived here: Nobody really thought anything of the Canucks, so the fact that the team is currently outside playoff spot is not surprising. Still, Vancouver could have easily been ranked higher if Jacob Markstrom (.896 save percentage) stopped just a few more pucks.
Why may be moving: Whenever taking part in the Pacific Division, you always have a chance. Bo Horvat has 11 goal and 21 points while Elias Pettersson has 12 purpose and 19 points. On the basis of & # 39; their ages, the chances are better to come. But one guy to keep in & # 39; mind is Boeser Brock, who scored four & # 39; goals before groin injury claims, can & # 39; due to major departure when returning to the lineup.
Edmonton Oilers
The 10 Western Conference
Arrived here: After starting the season at 8-4-1, the Żejters lost six & # 39; seven & # 39; following games, which led to the team to replace coach Todd McLellan does & # 39; Ken Hitchcock. The main problems are the delivery of targets (Cam Talbot has a .888 save percentage) and non & # 39; offense to anyone with Connor stated MCDAVID or Draisaitl Leon.
Why may be moving: Hitchcock, who won on his debut, can & # 39; is the change that Edmonton needed. It can & # 39; & # 39 can not; exploiting the potential of & # 39; & # 39 score; Milan Lucic, but he has the ability to play defensive teams getting better. Moreover, never count out a team MCDAVID presented 100 plus point.
KNIGHTS OF & # 39; VEGAS GOLDEN
The twelve in Western Conference
Arrived here: From finalist of the Stanley Cup back to the pack. Even Cinderella did not fail grace so hard. Failure & # 39; Nate Schmidt first two hurt & # 39; definitely, but the lack of & # 39; offense was the biggest problem. William Karlsson (five goals in & # 39; item 23) is well above the step & # 39; 43 his target from last year, while Max Pacioretty only contributed eight points so far.
Why may be moving: Schmidt is back and Pacioretty, which has four & # 39; goals in the past three games, is finally finding the net. Does & # 39; Erik Haula Paul STASTNY expected back from injury, there is still hope that Vegas will have the story book ending again & # 39; other.
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