The American Thanksgiving weekend has also become a barometer for playoff projections for the NHL and that isn’t good news for the Group of Seven, the seven Canadian-based franchises in the 32-team league. Going into the weekend, only the 12-7-4 Ottawa Senators are in playoff position in second place in the Atlantic Division. The Senators have 28 points, just two behind division leader Tampa Bay. Montreal is next in line with 27 points while Toronto is second-to-last in the eastern conference with 23 points. Also on the outside looking in at the moment in the western conference are the Edmonton Oilers (25), Winnipeg Jets (24), Vancouver Canucks (22) and Calgary Flames (19). It’s a far cry from the five-of-seven that made the NHL playoffs last spring, much to the joy of television and radio rights-holders, corporate sponsors, merchandisers and sports bars and restaurants.