Christmas may be new Thanksgiving as NHL playoff barometer

Thanksgiving used to be a good predictor of NHL playoff qualification. This year, the season started later than usual and many teams are struggling. The expansion to 32 teams also makes it harder to make the playoffs. Colorado is trying to stay in the mix and keep pushing until reinforcements arrive. The number of comebacks and winning and losing streaks also play into the fluctuation of standings. It's hard to tell which teams will make it to the Stanley Cup next spring. There were 22 multi-goal, third-period comeback wins in first quarter of the NHL season. They were the most at that point in league history.