The NHL standings as of American Thanksgiving often serve as a reliable indicator of playoff outcomes, with a notable 81.25% of teams in playoff positions last season ultimately qualifying for the playoffs.

Current projections indicate that around three teams currently in playoff spots may not qualify by the end of the season, based on standings as of November 28, 2024.

In the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs are predicted to emerge as champions, demonstrating impressive depth and consistency despite injuries to star player Auston Matthews.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are forecasted to secure third place in the Atlantic Division, overcoming a challenging early schedule with a strong lineup featuring Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov.

In the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals are favored to win, bolstered by significant contributions from Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin, despite the latter's injury.

The New Jersey Devils are anticipated to claim second place in the Metropolitan Division, gaining momentum after a slow start to the season.

In the Central Division, the Winnipeg Jets are predicted to finish second, following a historic start but grappling with depth scoring challenges.

The Minnesota Wild are forecasted to win the Central Division, showing significant improvement over the previous season, driven by consistent performance from Kirill Kaprizov.

The Dallas Stars are expected to secure third place in the Central Division, showcasing a solid defensive game and resilience after a rough patch.

In the Western Conference, the Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche are anticipated to claim the two wild card spots, although the Avalanche face significant challenges despite having top players in scoring.

The Vegas Golden Knights are projected to lead the Pacific Division, with Jack Eichel enjoying a career-best start and Mark Stone returning to form.

The Los Angeles Kings are expected to finish third in the Pacific Division, but their inconsistent performance against weaker teams raises concerns about their playoff viability.

The Edmonton Oilers are forecasted to be a playoff spoiler, rebounding strongly after early struggles to secure a wild card position in the Western Conference.

The Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are expected to claim the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference, although the Rangers are struggling with inconsistency and trade rumors.

The Florida Panthers are expected to finish second in the Atlantic Division, rebounding effectively after early-season injuries.

The Carolina Hurricanes are projected to finish third in the Metropolitan Division, although they face goaltending depth issues despite strong overall performance led by Martin Necas.