The 2025-2026 NHL season is through the first three weeks. Still in the infancy stages, the power rankings will move generously for a few more months. Early on, Utah and New Jersey have taken the hockey world by storm with their hot starts. The opposite can be said with early-season struggles by Calgary and San Jose. However, the season is still new, and every team will continue to progress from week to week. Here are the 2025-2026 NHL Team Power Rankings heading into the fourth week of the season.
1. New Jersey Devils
New Jersey is off to one of the best starts in the NHL. The team currently ranks 1st in goals per game and 4th in goals against per game. The Devils are getting production throughout their roster and are looking to build off last season’s 91-point finish.
2. Utah Mammoth
Utah is tied for 1st with the most points through three weeks. The Mammoth are 7th in goals against per game, but it’s their offense and 2nd–ranked goals per game. The team’s offense has kept them in every game, and they are looking to build off last season’s 89 points.
3. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado’s goaltending has performed well, even with number one goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood yet to make his season debut. Nathan McKinnon, tied with the 2nd–most points in the league, has led the Avalanche through the first three weeks of the season. Colorado has finished atop the Central Division in two of the past four seasons.
4. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal’s defense and goaltending have played well, but its offense has been the headliner early in the season. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have been standouts and among league leaders in points and goals. Montreal’s hot start gives the team an edge playing in a division that features Toronto, Florida, and Tampa Bay.
5. Las Vegas Golden Knights
Since 2018, Las Vegas has won the Pacific Division four times and won the Stanley Cup in 2023. This season, Las Vegas’ hot start is thanks in part to a 5th–ranked offense in goals per game. Center Jack Eichel is tied for the NHL’s points lead and is the team’s driving force.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh’s veterans aren’t finished yet. Evgeni Malkin is leading the team in points, and the team’s goaltending has played well. There wouldn’t be a better story than Sidney Crosby adding a fourth Stanley Cup in his 21st season.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is 3rd in goals per game, with center Seth Jarvis leading the team. The Hurricanes’ goaltenders finished last season 10th in goals against per game and are posting better numbers early in the season. They will be a Stanley Cup contender throughout the season.
8. Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg’s combination of scoring and goaltending has led to a hot start. Veteran center Mark Scheifele is leading the Jets and 1st among NHL goal scorers and has the 3rd–most points. The team has their sights set on the Stanley Cup.
9. Washington Capitals
Washington’s goaltending has posted the league’s 2nd–best goals against average (2.33) through three weeks. It’s only a matter of time before the Capitals’ offense takes off and continues their division rise. Washington finished last season atop the Metropolitan Division with 111 points.
10. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit’s last playoff appearance came during the 2015-2016 season. Last season, they missed the playoffs by five points. The team has developed its youth and looks poised to break their 10-year playoff drought.
11. Seattle Kraken
Following the team’s inaugural season in Seattle, and last-place division finishes, the Kraken reached the playoffs the following season. They entered this season two years removed from the playoffs, but are playing well. Consistency can see Seattle reach the 100 points they totaled in 2022-2023.
12. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago hasn’t reached the playoffs since the COVID-shortened 2019-2020 season. The roster has undergone an overhaul, and the organization has used stockpiled draft picks to select players they hope will return them to perennial playoff appearances. The team is off to its best start in years, and developed youth are starting to make their presence felt.
13. Florida Panthers
Florida is aiming for a third consecutive Stanley Cup. The team has fared well through three weeks as they wait for the return of superstar Matthew Tkachuk. If the roster can stay healthy, and Matthew Tkachuk quickly sheds any rust, they will enter the playoffs with the chance to finish atop the NHL for a third consecutive season.
14. Nashville Predators
The key to Nashville’s season will be goaltender Juuse Saros and the health of defenseman Roman Josi. Josi was limited to 53 games last season, and the team cannot afford to have their best defensive player off the ice. Reaching 80 points would be a success, but Nashville may not possess enough talent to reach the playoffs.
15. New York Islanders
New York is looking to rebound following last season’s 82 points. They’ve been competitive for three weeks and have a start in 2025’s first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer. It might be a few more seasons before the Islanders find themselves in playoff contention.
16. Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia’s goaltending has helped in the team’s strong start. However, their offense lacks the power to keep up with opposing teams. If goaltender Dan Vladar continues his hot play, the team will have a chance late into games.
17. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim’s youth is playing well, but goaltending could be an issue. At 25 years old, Lukas Dostal is in his fifth season. If the goaltender continues to progress, the team will be competitive.
18. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo’s 14th–ranked goaltending has been a surprise through three weeks. They’ve surrendered 3.00 goals per game, allowing the team to have a chance to win. Strong seasons from Tage Thompson and Zach Benson will help the team build momentum.
19. Toronto Maple Leafs
It’s early, and Toronto will start their ascent as the season progresses. The Maple Leafs have reached 100 points in four consecutive seasons. Goaltending will be the key to reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
20. Dallas Stars
Dallas is another team that will progress as the season moves along. Jake Oettinger is steady between the pipes and will keep the team in many games. Thomas Harley and Wyatt Johnson are two players to watch throughout the season.
21. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Finals last season and will be poised for another strong season. Connor McDavid signed a team-friendly extension. Goaltending will be the deciding factor on whether the team can win the Stanley Cup.
22. Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk is out for at least a month, and the team has work ahead. They reached the playoffs last season, but had Tkachuk for 72 games. They cannot afford to drop too many points before the team’s captain returns.
23. Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles is looking to build upon a strong 2024-2025 season. Through three weeks, the team is lacking firepower on offense, and its goaltending has been mediocre. The Kings must catch fire offensively.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus hasn’t found a groove offensively, and its goaltending hasn’t been great. Kirill Marchenko continues to produce, and others must step up. Strong defense and goaltending can help the team rise fast.
25. New York Rangers
The Rangers have one of the league’s best goaltenders in Igor Shesterkin. However, the offense has had a lethargic start. Once the offense clicks, New York will start its ascent.
26. Boston Bruins
The Bruins are lacking goal-scoring, and their goaltenders aren’t performing well. David Pastrnak always gives the team a chance, but additional players must step up. Boston may be heading for another last-place finish.
27. Vancouver Canucks
Goaltender Thatcher Demko has single-handedly kept Vancouver in games. He needs support from his offense. The Canucks may squander Demko’s great performances if they cannot find a way to light the lamp.
28. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay has had a slow start to the season. As goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy improves, the team will start racking up wins. Of the lowest-ranked teams, Tampa Bay is the one team that will rebound quickly.
29. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota has started slowing, but superstar Kirill Kaprizov continues to produce. The team’s downfall is correlated with sloppy goaltending. As the goaltending improves, the team will start to move up the power rankings.
30. St. Louis Blues
Saint Louis has played well offensively, but its goaltending has been lackluster. A playoff team a season ago, the Blues will improve as the season progresses. Strong goaltending will always keep a team in playoff contention.
31. San Jose Sharks
San Jose has received modest offensive production, but the team is 32nd in goals against per game. It’s hard to envision the Sharks’ goaltenders doing a complete 180. The team will rely on outscoring opponents.
32. Calgary Flames
Calgary posted 96 points last season but has encountered a woeful start to the season. The Flames rank 32nd in goals per game and 29th in goals against. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was electric last season, and his progression will aid the team in finding success.
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