The Athletic Hockey Show Which Thanksgiving bubble teams will actually make the playoffs?
Dec 1, 2025
Julian McKenzie, a hockey journalist and author, joins the discussion on the Eastern Conference playoff race while sharing insights about his upcoming book, 'Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey's Black Trailblazers.' The conversation covers the Thanksgiving bubble rule, identifying which teams are likely to make the playoffs and which may falter. McKenzie also shares fascinating anecdotes about trailblazers like Anson Carter and Herb Carnegie, and discusses the challenges they faced in their careers, emphasizing the importance of their legacy in hockey.
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Bedard Carrying Chicago's Turnaround
- Conor Bedard is driving Chicago's surprising start and has MVP-caliber impact on games.
- His consistent production is the primary reason the Blackhawks are in playoff position.
East Is Wide Open And Parity-Driven
- The Eastern Conference shows extreme parity with few clear locks and almost everyone still in contention.
- That creates a large, shifting bubble where small runs can drastically change standings.
Bruins' Thin Ice Under Good Goaltending
- Boston's current standing is propped up by Jeremy Swayman's elite goaltending and a hot Morgan Geeky.
- Their poor underlying metrics make their position feel fragile if goaltending or shooting regresses.
