NHL Hockey Summary

The New York Rangers have hit a troubling patch at home, suffering a 4-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon. This loss marked the Rangers' record at Madison Square Garden this season to a dismal 2-8-1, raising serious concerns about their performance on home ice.

According to reports, during this troubling stretch, the Rangers have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only 22 goals in 11 home games, a statistic deemed 'unacceptable' by fans and analysts alike.

Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks announced that goalie Lukas Dostal will be sidelined for two to three weeks due to an upper-body injury, which adds to their challenges as they look to gain momentum in the league.

The Ducks continue to face difficulties, hoping that the absence of Dostal, who has been a key player, won't derail their season further. Moving on to broader league concerns, the Thanksgiving Panic Index has been introduced, highlighting teams that may be in trouble as the playoffs approach.

Historical data indicates that teams in playoff positions during the Thanksgiving holiday tend to remain there, with a success rate of 77.1% since 2005. This year, analysts are closely watching teams like the Rangers and the Ducks, who find themselves in precarious situations as they look to improve their standings.

In other news, the Colorado Avalanche experienced a significant win as Brock Nelson scored two goals and added two assists in a dominant 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. This performance not only marked a personal milestone for Nelson, reaching 600 career points, but also showcased the Avalanche's offensive depth, with Gabriel Landeskog contributing two goals as well.

The win is a much-needed boost for the Avalanche, positioning them positively as they aim for a strong season. Lastly, the Vegas Golden Knights have ended their four-game losing streak with a narrow 4-3 victory against the San Jose Sharks.

Goaltender Carl Lindbom secured his first career win, lifting the spirits of the Knights after a tough stretch. The performance from Lindbom and the team’s resilience will be critical as they prepare for upcoming challenges.

Overall, the NHL landscape is filled with teams grappling with injuries, performance issues, and the looming pressure of playoff positioning as the season progresses.