We are now more than a month into the 2025-2026 NHL standings. Preseason power rankings and predictions have been flipped upside down. After a one-week hiatus, it’s time for The Hoosier Network’s first NHL power ranking article of November.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Record: 11-1-5
Previous Ranking: 2
Nathan Mackinnon is averaging nearly two points per game, and there’s no conversation for who’s been the best player in hockey so far this season. Despite an uncharacteristically below average power play, Colorado has the second best penalty killing in the league. All of this can explain why this team had only one regulation loss in the first month.
2. Dallas Stars
Record: 10-4-3
Previous Ranking: 8
The Stars without a doubt have the most prolific offensive attack in hockey. Mikko Rantanen took the group from really good to elite when he arrived in Dallas last February. They have given up quite a few goals on the contrary, as the penalty killing and goaltending has left a lot to be desired.
3. New Jersey Devils
Record: 12-4-1
Previous Ranking: 3
The Devils have officially elevated from Metropolitan Division contender to Stanley Cup contender. The stars, such as Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, are doing their usual thing. However, the biggest development in The Garden State has been the emergence of Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier. For years, New Jersey has been looking for depth behind their big three. Now, they finally have it, making this team as dangerous as any.
4. Montreal Canadiens
Record: 10-4-1
Previous Ranking: 4
In a packed Atlantic Division, Montreal has maintained their spot at the top for the entire season up to this point. Their power play has gone from below average to top five in the league in one season. Jakub Dobes has been fantastic in net, and it’s really confusing why he’s still splitting time with Sam Montembeault.
5. Carolina Hurricanes
Record: 11-4-0
Previous Ranking: 5
The Metropolitan Division, as I expected, is a two-headed race between New Jersey and Carolina. These two teams are just on another level compared to the rest of the division. Despite the second worst power play in hockey, the Hurricanes continue to score, and they’ve needed to, as the goaltending remains a huge question mark. It looks like there could be a lot of good netkeepers at the deadline, and I fully expect the Canes to add one.
6. Anaheim Ducks
Record: 11-4-1
Previous Ranking: 18
The biggest surprise in the NHL so far, the Ducks are suddenly back in the Pacific Division playoff picture, a place they sat at for the first 15 years of the 21st century. The young movement has led the way, with 20 year old Leo Carlsson and 21 year old Cutter Gauthier having combined for 46 points. Carlsson in particular stands out, as he’s tied for second in the league in points and is right in the thick of the Hart Trophy race.
7. Winnipeg Jets
Record: 10-6-0
Previous Ranking: 7
The Jets are without a doubt the cream of the crop when it comes to defensive minded teams in hockey. Connor Hellebuyck is in the thick of his prime, and the Jets lockdown penalty killing makes it nearly impossible for any team to score. Winnipeg has also gotten more than enough offensive production, with Mark Schiefle and Kyle Connor leading the way.
8. Utah Mammoth
Record: 10-7-0
Previous Ranking: 6
The Mammoth have hit a bit of a cold stretch following an amazing start, but they’ve still far outperformed expectations, especially considering the division they play in. Nick Schmaltz is on pace for a career season. Utah’s been hurt by a poor power play and lackluster goaltending. They’re another team I’d keep an eye on at the deadline to add a goalie.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 9-5-3
Previous Ranking: 10
The Penguins have certainly cooled down after a red hot start. However, this team has still far exceeded expectations up to this point. Their power play is tops in the league, and the penalty kill ranks seventh. In addition, Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs have been a netkeeper match made in heaven. Pittsburgh needs some more production out of their wings, especially left wing, and if they can find that, watch out for the Penguins.
10. Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 7-4-4
Previous Ranking: 1
Jack Eichel has no goals and only three points in his last six games, and that has tanked the Golden Knights in the standings. Their special teams has regressed significantly from previous seasons. Also, it seems this team can only win with Akira Schmid in net. They have used three goaltenders so far, and only one of their seven wins came with someone not named Akira Schmid in net.
11. Boston Bruins
Record: 11-7
Previous Ranking: 25
Three straight wins to start the season, then seven losses in their next eight, followed by seven straight victories. This Boston team is as hot and cold as any in the league. Fortunately for Bruins fans, they are in a hot stretch right now, and this is the best they’ve looked since before firing Jim Montgomery a year ago. Their power play and penalty kill both rank in the top half of the league as we sit today.
12. Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 8-6-2
Previous Ranking: 19
The Lighting have now won seven of their last nine, and they are making their way right back into the playoff picture. This is despite Nikita Kucherov not playing up to his standard, and Andrei Vasilevskiy having a sub .900 save percentage. Jon Cooper should feel confident they will both figure it out, and once they do, you could argue no team in the Atlantic is more dangerous come playoff time.
13. Edmonton Oilers
Record: 8-6-4
Previous Ranking: 12
It blows my mind how the Oilers haven’t made a change at goaltender. This team is only 8-6-4 despite having two of the five best players in the world along with two top ten special teams units. When will Connor Ingram get called up? Neither Stuart Skinner nor Calvin Pickard is cutting it, and seeing this team win a cup with either of them at the helm is just unrealistic.
14. Ottawa Senators
Record: 8-5-4
Previous Ranking: 21
Similar to Tampa Bay, Ottawa has climbed right back into playoff contention in the Atlantic Division. This offense clearly needs Brady Tkachuk, but for now they’ve done enough to get by. And they’ve needed them to, as the second worst power play in the league along with atrocious goaltending has done nothing to help the Senators.
15. Los Angeles Kings
Record: 8-5-4
Previous Ranking: 20
Darcy Kuemper played hero ball for the Kings over the last week and a half. The 35 year old has won his last three games, stopping all 23 shots against Winnipeg, 31 of 33 against Pittsburgh, and 22 of 23 against Montreal. This offense is still without Anze Kopitar, and they’ve suffered as a result. However, if Kuemper can keep this going, the Kings should be fine until their captain is ready to come back.
16. Florida Panthers
Record: 8-7-1
Previous Ranking: 15
You just knew when Aleksander Barkov went down in camp the Panthers were in trouble. You can’t replace his level of production and his 200 foot play, and sure enough Florida has come nowhere close to their success the last two seasons when they hoisted the Stanley Cup. Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart are doing everything they can, and the return of Matthew Tkachuk will be massive for Florida’s playoff hopes.
17. New York Rangers
Record: 9-7-2
Previous Ranking: 23
The Rangers’ decision to go young is starting to pay off. Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle have both stepped into their top six roles beautifully. Artemi Panarin is starting to heat up, and the Rangers have Vincent Trocheck back from LTIR. With Igor Shesterkin in net, this team is capable of beating anyone on any given night.
18. Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 8-5-4
Previous Ranking: 22
Connor Bedard has been the best player in the NHL over the last two weeks minus Nathan Mackinnon, as the 20 year old has 17 points in his last 9 games. Chicago possesses both a top ten power play and penalty killing unit. Spencer Knight has found a home in the Windy City. One downside for the Blackhawks is that Frank Nazar has not had a point in the last six games. If they want to contend in a loaded Central Division, Nazar has to be a factor.
19. Detroit Red Wings
Record: 9-7-0
Previous Ranking: 9
Four losses in five games for Detroit, who is quickly slipping in the standings. As great as Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Lucas Raymond are, the rest of the offense hasn’t produced anything of note. Both goaltenders have sub .900 save percentage, and the power play has slipped from a top five unit last year to an average unit this season.
20. Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 8-8-1
Previous Ranking: 14
Mitch Marner is turning out to be a bigger loss than Toronto originally anticipated. This power play unit just doesn’t have the firepower it once did. In addition, Anthony Stolarz continues to struggle in net. With the talent level in Ontario’s capital being as good as any in the league, it’s hard to see them staying at the bottom of the standings for this long.
21. Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 8-5-3
Previous Ranking: 17
Trevor Zegras was the spark this offense needed all along, as the former Duck has helped the Flyers improve their power play to an above average unit. That’s a massive development, as this power play had been a bottom three unit each of the last four years, including dead last three times. Dan Vladar has been a brick wall in net, with a .919 save percentage in 10 starts.
22. San Jose Sharks
Record: 8-6-3
Previous Ranking: 31
The Sharks are one of the NHL’s hottest teams, having won four consecutive games. Nineteen year old Macklin Celebrini is tied with Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard for second in the league in points with 26. Alex Nedeljkovic has found his stride in net, as he has eclipsed a .900 save percentage. Unlike previous years, San Jose is not a team opponents will just walk over, and they should be taken seriously.
23. New York Islanders
Record: 8-6-2
Previous Ranking: 28
Matthew Schaefer is looking like a franchise altering pick, as the barely 18 year old looks like a future 30 goal scorer from the blue line. Bo Horvat is tied for second in the league with 12 goals, and Ilya Sorokin is starting to look like his old self in net. Jonathan Drouin has been a disappointment, however, with only two goals on the season.
24. Washington Capitals
Record: 8-7-1
Previous Ranking: 11
It’s starting to show why Washington was such a popular pick to regress this season. Not a single part of this team is as good or better than it was last year. The power play and penalty killing unit have both sunk to bottom ten in the league. Charlie Lindgren’s poor play in net hasn’t helped. Last season is looking like a mirage, and the Capitals are in danger of falling out of the playoff race if they don’t turn it around.
25. Seattle Kraken
Record: 7-4-5
Previous Ranking: 16
The goaltending has kept this team alive, as Joey Daccord and Matt Murray have both been fantastic. This is especially considering that Seattle has the third worst penalty killing in the league. This team just doesn’t score enough to win, as their leading scorers, Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle, each only have 11 points.
26. Minnesota Wild
Record: 7-7-4
Previous Ranking: 30
The Wild are relying on Kirill Kaprizov and their fourth ranked power play unit to win games, and it’s had mixed results so far. This power play is so good it can steal any game for Minnesota, but at the same time the penalty killing is so bad it can cost them any game as well. It will be interesting to see if Jesper Wallstedt gets more looks in net, as he has far outplayed Filip Gustavsson so far.
27. Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 8-7-1
Previous Ranking: 13
The Blue Jackets have a lot of really solid young talent and a goaltending duo who each have save percentages over .900. So why does this team sit at the bottom of the Metro Division standings? Special teams. Columbus possesses the third worst power play and sixth worst penalty kill in the league. They simply cannot rely on even-strength scoring every night, and this power play needs to figure it out fast.
28. Vancouver Canucks
Record: 8-9-1
Previous Ranking: 24
Vancouver’s offense lives and dies by their power play. Their even-strength scoring has been nonexistent, and Quinn Hughes is this team’s leading scorer despite having only played in 14 of 18 games. Factor that with the absolute worst penalty killing in the league, and it’s hard to see this team competing in the Pacific Division.
29. St. Louis Blues
Record: 6-8-3
Previous Ranking: 29
The Blues offense remains ice cold, and Jordan Binnington seems to trade one good game with one bad game. This team is going nowhere if Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou continue to be as nonexistent as they have been all season. St. Louis also has had no success killing penalties, and that has made nothing easy for Binnington nor Joel Hofer.
30. Buffalo Sabres
Record: 5-7-4
Previous Ranking: 26
Alex Lyon has been excellent in net so far, and Buffalo still possess the league’s top penalty killing unit, as they’ve only given up five power play goals. However, there is no offensive presence outside of Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson. It’s looking very likely the Sabres’ playoff drought will extend to 15 years at season’s end.
31. Nashville Predators
Record: 5-9-4
Previous Ranking: 27
Nothing is going right for Nashville. Unlike some of the other struggling teams in the league, this is an aging and broken down roster that desperately needs some youth. I’m expecting a massive firesale from general manager Barry Trotz at the trade deadline, and any team contending for a cup should start calling Nashville now.
32. Calgary Flames
Record: 4-12-2
Previous Ranking: 32
It’s hard to find a starting point for this team. Whether it’s the worst power play in the league, a massive sophomore start from Dustin Wolf, or the lack of offensive production, nothing has gone right in Calgary this season. A year after barely missing the playoffs via tiebreaker, it looks like the Flames will be at the bottom of the league standings this year.
