The NHL season is nearing the Thanksgiving playoff cutoff, a critical time when over 75% of teams in playoff positions historically maintain their status. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Minnesota Wild are showing resilience, defying early season skepticism.

Leading the ESPN NHL Power Rankings are the Winnipeg Jets, despite a recent loss. Each team has something to be thankful for this season, from standout players to unique stories, as they gear up for the holiday stretch.