It’s hard to believe we are already a quarter of a way through the 2025-2026 NHL season. The standings, storylines, and award races are heating up, and it’s time to see how each of the league’s 32 teams stack up against each other.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Record: 14-1-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
The undisputed best team in hockey this season, the Avalanche continue to roll as we near December. Nathan Mackinnon is the Hart frontrunner, Cale Makar and Devon Toews are the best blue line pair in hockey, Martin Necas has been the perfect replacement for Mikko Rantanen, and the goalie duo of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood make this team the easy cup favorite right now.
2. Dallas Stars
Record: 13-5-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
The Stars are fueled by a dynamic offense which possesses the second best power play unit in the league. Jason Robertson is red hot, and Dallas has two other 20-point players in Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston. One of the most pleasant surprises for this team has been the netkeeper duo of Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith, as they both have save percentages over .900.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Record: 14-5-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
As usual, Carolina is sitting atop the Metropolitan Division. Despite their power play being in the toilet and their penalty killing being below-average, Carolina still sits with the top record in the East. Their even-strength play has been incredible, as only one skater who has played in more than two games has a negative on the plus-minus scale.
4. New Jersey Devils
Record: 13-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Jack Hughes is going to be out for two months, and that is detrimental to New Jersey’s Stanley Cup hopes. The Devils have been without their best player before, but their production on the ice is significantly worse without him. Their power play has already slipped significantly in the short time he’s been out. The Devils need to at least stay afloat for the time he’s out, otherwise the Metro could be out of reach by the time he comes back.
5. Anaheim Ducks
Record: 13-7-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
The NHL’s biggest surprise this season, the Ducks continue their rock solid start nearly months into the season. Leo Carlsson is entering superstar status, and he has been helped with the strong play of Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry. Lukas Dostal has continued his strong play from last season in net. Anaheim has been held back by their penalty killing, which sits bottom ten in the league.
6. Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 10-4-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Following a four game losing streak, the Golden Knights have won three of their last four. Akira Schmid looks to be taking over the goalie reins, and rightfully so, as the 25-year old has a save percentage in 11 starts. Jack Eichel broke out his recent slump with a three point night against Utah on Thursday.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 11-7-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Thanks to Andrei Vasilevskiy and the third best penalty killing in the league, the Lightning have won 10 of their last 13 after a nightmare start to the season. Once this power play unit figures it out, the Lighting likely have the strongest case to win the Atlantic Division.
8. Winnipeg Jets
Record: 12-8-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
While the Jets don’t have any elite players outside of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, they are possibly the most well-rounded team in hockey at all levels. With a top ten power play and penalty kill, along with great even-strength play, the Jets should once again finish top three in the Central Division. And it certainly helps to have Cole Perfetti and Adam Lowry, the two game seven heroes against St. Louis last May, back from injury.
9. New York Islanders
Record: 12-7-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
The biggest risers on the list, the Islanders outlook this season has changed from retooling to a legit contender in the Metro. Bo Horvat is having a career season, as he is averaging over a point ger game. Matthew Schaefer is looking like the lefty version of Cale Makar, as the rookie is a prolific goal scorer from the blue line. Ilya Sorokin has settled in after a rough start.
10. Boston Bruins
Record: 13-10-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
The Bruins, like the Jets, don’t have any stars minus one player, that player being David Pastrnak for Boston. However, what the Bruins do have are incredible special teams units, with their power play ranking fourth and their penalty kill right behind at seven. Jeremy Swayman can be the best goalie in the league on any given night.
11. Ottawa Senators
Record: 10-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
It’s clear last season wasn’t a fluke for Ottawa, as they look like a legit contender in the Atlantic. The crazy thing is that their goaltending and penalty killing are still in the dust, however, thanks to tremendous resilience and enough power play production, the Senators have still managed points in 14 of their first 20 games. And help is on the way, as their leader Brady Tkachuk will be back from injury soon.
12. Montreal Canadiens
Record: 10-7-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
What’s going on with Martin St. Louis’ team? That’s now five straight losses for Montreal, and their lead of the Atlantic Division is long gone. There simply isn’t enough offensive production, as Cole Caufield has been the only player consistently putting the puck in the back of the net. The Habs desperately need an answer at goaltender, as neither Sam Montembault nor Jakub Dobes are cutting it.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 10-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
The Penguins continue to possess the league’s best special teams play so far, which includes the NHL’s best power play. However, Pittsburgh’s problem is that they’re too reliant on the power play to score goals, and that doesn’t work against disciplined teams. The goaltending has been outstanding, and if they can score more goals at even strength, this may be the most well-rounded team in the Metro.
14. Florida Panthers
Record: 11-8-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Don’t count the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions out yet. Florida hasn’t done anything particularly well this season, but Paul Maurice’s aggressive philosophy allows this team to continue to win. When Matthew Tkachuk comes back, don’t be shocked if this team goes on a monster run right back to the top of the Atlantic Division.
15. Detroit Red Wings
Record: 12-8-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
The Red Wings are one of the hardest teams to figure out. Their goaltending remains awful, and the offense lives and dies with Dylan Larkin. However, one thing Detroit has done noticeably better is kill penalties, as they are now in the top half of the league after being dead last a season ago.
16. Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 10-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Who knows where the Blackhawks will be in the standings at season’s end, but you can’t deny what they’ve done up to this point has been extremely impressive. Connor Bedard is in the Hart Trophy conversation, Spencer Knight is the Vezine frontrunner, and Chicago has both a top ten power play and penalty kill. They need Frank Nazar to step up, as he hasn’t scored a goal in nearly a month.
17. Los Angeles Kings
Record: 10-6-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
The Kings have relied significantly on their physicality and Darcy Kuemper’s play in net to keep this team afloat. There just hasn’t been enough offensive production to win significantly, as their power play ranks fourth worst. This team needs a spark offensively, and the trade deadline could be a great place to make that happen.
18. Washington Capitals
Record: 11-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
The Capitals are a team that feeds off vibes, and with Alex Ovechkin having 8 points in his last 4 games, Washington has won three in a row and are rising back up the standings. Logan Thompson has been one of hockey’s best this season in net, and if the season ended today, he’d have a strong case for the Vezina.
19. Minnesota Wild
Record: 11-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
The Wild have won eight out of their last ten, and a season that once looked over has completely turned around. Their resurgence can be explained by phenomenal goaltending, specifically Jesper Wallstedt, who has a .926 save percentage in seven starts. Their power play continues to do the job offensively, ranking fourth best in the league.
20. Utah Mammoth
Record: 10-8-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
The Mammoth have now lost 9 of their last 11 games, and that can be explained by a power play unit that has sunk to bottom five in the league. In addition the goaltending has been awful, and if they don’t fix that right away, it might be too late to do so at the trade deadline.
21. Seattle Kraken
Record: 10-5-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
The Kraken are carried by their goaltending, as all three netkeepers who have seen playing time this year have a save percentage of .900 or better. That’s extremely impressive considering Seattle possesses the third worst penalty killing in the league. Jaden Schwartz is this team’s leading scorer with just 15 points.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 11-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
The Blue Jackets have picked up points in six of their last seven, and I still believe that this team has a chance to finish top three in the Metropolitan Division for several different reasons. Their goaltending has been fantastic, with both Elvis Merzlinkins and Jet Greaves playing extremely well. Columbus is also one of the best teams at even strength, and that is a great formula for being a playoff team.
23. Edmonton Oilers
Record: 9-9-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Different article, same story for the back-to-back Western Conference champs. A team full of so many superstars is being held back by possibly the league’s worst goaltending. It’s time for this team to either call up Connor Ingram or trade for new goalie, because neither Stuart Skinner nor Calvin Pickard will get this team anywhere once playoff time comes.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 9-9-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
The Maple Leafs are missing Mitch Marner more and more every day, as this power play is a shell of its former self. Anthony Stolarz has not improved whatsoever, and Toronto has now used four different goaltenders this season. The Leafs need something to turn the tide, whether that’s a breakout performance from Auston Matthews or a power play resurgence.
25. New York Rangers
Record: 10-10-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
After a few up and down weeks, I finally have a feeling on where the Rangers are going this season. Where? Absolutely nowhere. Chris Kreider, who was traded for scraps this offseason, has more goals than any player on the Rangers. The power play and penalty kill are both subpar at best, and you have to feel bad for Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, who have both been outstanding this season.
26. San Jose Sharks
Record: 10-8-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Funny enough, Macklin Celebrini has the exact same statline as Connor Bedard (13 G, 18 A, 31 P), so the debate of the 2023 and 2024 No. 1 overall picks shows no signs of slowing down. The Sharks have also improved their goaltending significantly, with both their netkeepers having save percentages over .900.
27. Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 10-6-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
As always, the Flyers’ biggest strength has been their penalty killing, which ranks second in the league. Dan Vladar has also been excellent in his 12 starts. You wonder where this offense would be without Trevor Zegras, as the former Duck has carried the offense all season long with 20 points.
28. Vancouver Canucks
Record: 9-11-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
The Canucks’ offensive production has improved throughout the course of the season and Quinn Hughes may be the league’s best blue liner. However, the penalty kill is absolutely atrocious, and they now rank at the bottom of the league. Expect Thatcher Demko to be a coveted goaltender at the trade deadline.
29. St. Louis Blues
Record: 6-9-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Unlike other teams who rely on their power play for offensive production, the Blues can ONLY score on the power play. Not a single full-time skater has a positive on the plus-mi nus scale. The goaltending has not helped in any way, and it looks like this team will miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.
30. Buffalo Sabres
Record: 8-9-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Despite the league’s top penalty killing unit, Buffalo still sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Sabres don’t have the firepower to keep up with the rest of the division, and they could really use J.J. Peterka’s production right now. If they can generate some more scoring, maybe they can make a second-half run and make a run for the wild card.
31. Nashville Predators
Record: 6-10-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
The most depressing situation in the NHL resides in Tennessee’s capital. This team is old, broken down, and simply bad at hockey. At this point, it would take a 10-game winning streak (at least) for GM Barry Trotz to even consider abandoning the coming firesale. Expect every veteran on this team to be available at the deadline.
32. Calgary Flames
Record: 6-13-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 32
With by far the worst offense in hockey, the Flames have been sitting at the bottom of the standings for the majority of the season. It doesn’t help at all that Dustin Wolf, who finished second in the Vezina voting last season, has regressed significantly in net. Backup goalie Devin Cooley is the lone bright spot on an otherwise uninspiring Calgary team.
