In an odd but undeniable pattern that began with the 2005-06 season, more than 75% of the teams that have occupied playoff positions at Thanksgiving have gone on to make the playoffs. The percentage dipped a bit last season when several teams faded out of the picture — including the then-West-leading St. Louis Blues — but in some seasons 13 of the 16 teams that were in playoff position in their respective conferences at Thanksgiving have qualified for postseason play.
The difficulty of moving up doesn’t bode well for the Kings, who sat last in the NHL before they face the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday at Staples Center.