nhl standings

NHL Standings 2025-26: The Crucial Thanksgiving Checkpoint and the Canadian Slide

As the frost settles across Canada and the turkey leftovers disappear, the NHL calendar hits a pivotal milestone: the Thanksgiving checkpoint. For hockey fans tuning into the NHL standings 2025-26, this time of year offers the first true glimpse into the identity of the league's contenders and pretenders. While the official NHL standings fluctuate daily, the current narrative is defined by two major storylines: the surprising struggles of Canadian franchises and the alarming consistency of the Columbus Blue Jackets in finding ways to lose games they should win.

For Canadian hockey enthusiasts, the current landscape is difficult to digest. After a promising start to the season, the national pride of the league has taken a significant hit. Meanwhile, in the American Midwest, the Columbus Blue Jackets have become the league's most frustrating team, blowing leads with a frequency that has drawn the ire of pundits and the scrutiny of the hockey world.

The Canadian Slide: A Nation Holds Its Breath

It wasn't long ago that the mood surrounding Canada's seven NHL franchises was optimistic. In early November, three Canadian teams sat comfortably inside the top 10 of various power rankings. Fast forward to the present, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. Recent reports indicate that no Canadian teams currently rank in the top 15 of major power rankings.

This "huge tumble" is more than just a statistical anomaly; it represents a concerning trend for Canadian hockey dominance. For a nation where hockey is woven into the cultural fabric, seeing teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and others struggle to find consistent footing is a bitter pill to swallow.

The pressure in Canadian markets is unique. The media scrutiny is intense, the fan expectations are sky-high, and the desire to end the Stanley Cup drought—which has now stretched decades for the original six franchises—weighs heavy on the locker room. As the 2025-26 season progresses, the margin for error shrinks. The current slide suggests that unless there is a significant pivot in performance, the postseason might feature very few, if any, Canadian teams, a scenario that would send shockwaves through the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Art of the Collapse

While the Canadian teams struggle to climb the ladder, the Columbus Blue Jackets are stuck in a cycle that is arguably more painful: blowing late leads. Verified reports from The Columbus Dispatch and The Athletic highlight a disturbing pattern for the Blue Jackets this season.

According to a report by The Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets have developed a habit of letting late leads vanish too often. This isn't just about losing; it is about how they are losing. In the high-stakes environment of the NHL, securing two points is paramount, but Columbus has repeatedly surrendered points in games where they held a distinct advantage heading into the third period.

The issue has become so prevalent that The Athletic recently consulted three coaches to diagnose the problem and offer solutions. The consensus points to a lack of discipline and defensive structure in critical moments. As noted in their coverage, the Jackets' inability to close out games is the primary factor keeping them out of the playoff picture.

Adding insult to injury is the injury status of team captain Boone Jenner. The Hockey Writers reported that Jenner is nearing a return, which should theoretically provide a boost to the lineup. However, without a change in their late-game execution, the return of their leader may not be enough to salvage their season.

The Broader Landscape: Surging Teams and Playoff Probabilities

To understand the struggles of the Blue Jackets and Canadian teams, one must look at the teams occupying the top spots in the NHL standings. The Tampa Bay Lightning, a perennial powerhouse, have rocketed to the top of the league, showcasing that veteran experience remains the gold standard in this sport. Alongside them, the Washington Capitals have seen a resurgence, defying expectations and cementing their place as a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes are flexing their muscle, boasting high-danger shot metrics and strong 5-on-5 play. The Detroit Red Wings also deserve a mention; according to NHL EDGE stats, they rank second in high-danger shots on goal and boast a strong shot attempts percentage. These teams are doing the little things right—controlling possession, limiting turnovers, and capitalizing on special teams—which stands in stark contrast to the chaotic finishes seen in Columbus.

The "Thanksgiving Rule" is a statistic often cited by analysts: historically, 75% of teams in a playoff position at the American Thanksgiving holiday go on to make the postseason. With the holiday now passed, the battle for those precious wild-card spots is intensifying. For teams sitting on the bubble, every shift matters.

Contextual Background: The Weight of Expectations

The current struggles of Canadian teams and the Blue Jackets can be viewed through the lens of franchise expectations. For Canadian teams, the goal is never just to make the playoffs; it is to win the Cup. This "win or bust" mentality can sometimes hinder development or lead to rash managerial decisions.

For Columbus, the narrative is different. They are a franchise still trying to establish a winning culture. Blowing leads is a habit that can become a psychological complex. If a team believes they cannot hold a lead, they play not to lose rather than playing to win. This passive style of play is often exploited by skilled opponents.

The broader implication for the league is the shifting balance of power. The dominance of US-based teams, particularly in the Sun Belt and traditional markets like Tampa and New York, suggests that the "hockey belt" is widening, while the Canadian stronghold is currently facing a moment of vulnerability.

Immediate Effects on the NHL Standings

The immediate fallout of these trends is visible in the raw NHL standings. The Eastern Conference is becoming a two-horse race between the heavyweights, with teams like Columbus languishing at the bottom. In the West, the separation between the playoff bound and the lottery hopefuls is widening.

For bettors and fantasy hockey players, these trends are crucial. Betting against Canadian teams in their current form might be profitable, while the "under" is often a safe bet in Blue Jackets games due to their erratic nature.

Economically, the dip in Canadian team performance could impact viewership numbers in Canada, although the passion for the game rarely wanes completely. However, for the league, having strong Canadian teams is beneficial for national interest and overall engagement.

Future Outlook: Can the Tide Turn?

Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season, the path forward requires strategic adjustments.

For the Canadian Teams: They need to find stability. The volatility in their performance—playing like world-beaters one night and AHL call-ups the next—must be stamped out. General Managers will be watching the trade market closely, looking for veteran stability to insulate their younger cores. The "top 15 power ranking" slide must be reversed quickly, or they risk becoming sellers at the trade deadline.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets: The solution lies in coaching and leadership. As The Athletic suggested, the coaching staff needs to implement a more conservative, possession-based system in the final ten minutes of games. Furthermore, the impending return of Boone Jenner cannot be overstated. A captain’s voice in the locker room can often be the catalyst for breaking a losing streak. If they can turn just three or four of those blown leads into wins, they re-enter the wild card conversation.

For the League: The current crop of standings suggests we are in for a chaotic trade deadline. If teams like Montreal, Ottawa, or Vancouver fall further behind, they may look to trade assets for future picks. Conversely, teams like Tampa Bay or Dallas might look to add veteran depth to make a Cup run.

Conclusion

The NHL standings as of late November tell a story of resilience and regression. For fans in Canada, it is a time of concern, watching their teams tumble down the rankings. For fans in Columbus, it is a season of agonizing "what ifs."

However, the beauty of the NHL is that there is plenty of hockey left to be played. A 10-game winning streak can change the entire complexion of the standings. As the winter months approach, the ice gets harder, the hits get heavier, and the playoff races get tighter. Whether the Canadian teams can recover from their slide or if the Blue Jackets can learn to close out games remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road to the Stanley Cup is never a straight line.

For the most up-to-date numbers, always refer to the official NHL.com standings, ESPN, or CBS Sports for the latest updates on the 2025-26 season.