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Pittsburgh Penguins hit a crucial Thanksgiving benchmark


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Daniel Lucente
November 27, 2025  (5:13 PM)
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Pittsburgh Penguins play vs. the Buffalo Sabres
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh

The Penguins find themselves tied for the final playoff spot by Thanksgiving, which is a big deal, as 77% of those teams make the playoffs historically.

The Pittsburgh Penguins needed a boost, and they received just that on Wednesday night with a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, upping their record to 11-6-5 and 27 points, just enough to be in the final spot in the playoffs after Thanksgiving, a spot that means much more than it may initially seem.

What being in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving means

According to statistics, since the 2005-06 season, 77% of teams with a playoff spot on Thanksgiving have made it into the playoffs. Even just last year, 12 out of 16 teams that were in a playoff spot as of Thanksgiving made it to the playoffs.
"From the 2005-06 season through the end of last season (2024-25), 77% of teams that are in a playoff spot on Thanksgiving have gone on to make the playoffs. Even for just last season, 12 of the 16 teams that were in a playoff spot on Thanksgiving made the playoffs."

- Huner Hodies
This is definitely a good indication for a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins that is trying to rebuild itself after an inconsistent November.

Why the month of December is shaping up to be difficult

But health will be a big factor in what promises to be a crucial period leading up to December, where they will face a tough schedule with many games against teams who are serious Cup contenders.
The Pens will be trying to get as healthy as they can heading into what promises to be a tough stretch of games.
Before this tough month comes, Pittsburgh has some remaining games left in November with a pair of games against Columbus and Toronto this weekend, both of which will be held on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
A strong finish to the month may be just what the Penguins need in order to continue this Thanksgiving-themed trend well into the spring.
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NOVEMBRE 27   |   106 ANSWERS
Pittsburgh Penguins hit a crucial Thanksgiving benchmark

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