Blackhawks remain out of the playoff picture with 24 points as tight NHL standings create crowded races in both conferences ahead of Thanksgiving.

The Chicago Blackhawks are out of the playoff picture with 24 points and in sixth place in the Central Division.

With Thanksgiving a few days away, there’s going to be a lot of talk about the “Thanksgiving deadline.” Usually, teams that are in a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving end up seeing postseason hockey. We can throw all of that out the window this year.

The standings are tight in both conferences. The Philadelphia Flyers hold the second wild card spot with 25 points, three other Eastern Conference teams are out with 25 points, and the Washington Capitals are out with 24. The Detroit Red Wings lead the Atlantic Division with 27 points, three teams have 25, and the Montreal Canadiens are in fifth place with 25. In the West, the Utah Mammoth holds the second wild card spot with 25, two teams are out with 25 points, and two more with 24.

Among teams that are out that are expected to be in the playoffs: the Edmonton Oilers, the Washington Capitals, the Winnipeg Jets, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Florida Panthers. Teams who are in but are expected to be out include: the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been in a playoff spot until recently (they are out by one point). So maybe we can all take a huge grain of salt with our Thanksgiving meal this year.

from Evolving-Hockey.com

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Morning Skate

The Blackhawks are practicing today. Not that I’m there, this writer is currently in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Andre Burakovsky skated in the morning but did not participate in practice.

According to Ben Pope, Burakovsky is TBD for Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild. Burakovsky is in the 93rd percentile for offense in Evolving Hockey’s goals above replacement model. A lot of this has to do with Connor Bedard, but Burakovsky deserves a lot of credit.

NHL News

Matthew Schaeffer is having a better-than-expected start to his NHL career. With seven goals and 15 points, the New York Islanders defenseman ranks third overall in scoring among rookie skaters. NHL.com currently has Schaeffer as their favorite to win the Calder Trophy.

Mikko Rantanen received a one-game suspension after receiving two game misconducts (physical infractions) before hitting the 41-game mark. Within the past week, Rantanen was ejected from two games (Nov. 18 against the New York Islanders and Nov. 22 against the Calgary Flames) for boarding infractions. Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov was placed on injured reserve, and Flames forward Matt Coronado was able to finish the game. Rantanen also picked up a fine for embellishment this week.

The Buffalo Sabres placed goaltender Alexandar Georgiev on waivers over the weekend for the purpose of contract termination. He cleared Monday morning and will likely head on over to the KHL.