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Montreal Canadiens: An Important Checkpoint Coming Up

By Omar L |
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 28: Members of the Montreal Canadiens acknowledge the fans after defeating the New York Rangers 5-4 during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 28, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 28: Members of the Montreal Canadiens acknowledge the fans after defeating the New York Rangers 5-4 during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 28, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Teams in the NHL are approaching an important checkpoint and the Montreal Canadiens need to pay attention to it as it may impact the rest of their season.

Most teams have already hit the 15-game mark of the season. As expected, there is no one that is truly out of the picture yet, except maybe Arizona. The Montreal Canadiens have been able to change the narrative around the team in these last stretch of games.

They’ve managed to win four out of their last five games including a back-to-back against the Chicago Blackhawks Sunday night. The Habs are no longer last in the Atlantic Division, that spot is reserved for the Buffalo Sabres. Instead, they are only three points out of the second wild card spot with a lot of hockey left to be played.

However, since we’re six days into November, there’s a certain day we need to talk about. American Thanksgiving has been a go-to landmark to predict which teams will end up making the playoffs. The rule of thumb is that teams who are in a playoff spot by that date, usually stay there.

There’s always some leeway to this. A team could be barely be in a wild card spot on that date or a massive cliff dive to the bottom of the standings is possible as well.

According to dropyourgloves.com, these were the eight teams in a playoff spot last American Thanksgiving:

Eastern Conference

  • Montreal Canadiens: 15-6-2 (32 points)
  • New York Rangers: 14-7-1 (29 points)
  • Pittsburgh Penguins: 12-8 -3 (27 points)
  • Tampa Bay Lightning: 13-8-1 (27 points)
  • Washington Capitals: 12-7-2 (26 points)
  • Ottawa Senators: 12-8-1 (25 points)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets: 10-8-3 (23 points)
  • New Jersey Devils: 10-9-3 (23 points)

Western Conference

  • Chicago Blackhawks: 13-8-2 (28 points)
  • Edmonton Oilers: 12-9-1 (25 points)
  • St. Louis Blues: 11-10-3 (25 points)
  • San Jose Sharks: 11-9-1 (23 points)
  • Los Angeles Kings:. 11-10-1 (23 points)
  • Minnesota Wild: 10-9-2 (22 points)
  • Anaheim Ducks: 9-11-4 (22 points)
  • Nashville Predators: 9-10-3 (21 points)

Where Did They Finish?

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From the 16 teams who were in playoff spots at U.S. Thanksgiving, 13 of them went on to actually make it. Using some ol’ math, that works out to be an approximate 81% success rate, so the rule has merit to it.

Thanksgiving falls on the 23rd this year, so the Montreal Canadiens have a little over two weeks to make the push. Even if they don’t actually get in, it would be ideal for the Habs to be close enough to take the opportunity to squeeze in if another team falters.

The team has played better as of late, especially with the improved efforts of Alex Galchenyuk. Additionally, Carey Price being out for the time being doesn’t seem to be a problem at the moment with how well Charlie Lindgren and Al Montoya have been playing. Claude Julien needs to keep the team focused. With how tight things are in the standings, the Montreal Canadiens can’t afford to have another slump.

Next: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Do you think the Montreal Canadiens will make the playoffs? Can they get into a spot before U.S. Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments. 

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