Avalanche
Energy play prowess | The one factor this Avalanche crew does not do nicely is rating on the facility play, which boggles the thoughts. Colorado has transformed on 16.4% of its man benefits, which ranks twenty sixth. This crew may be undefeated if it had simply a median energy play. — 27-2-7
2

Stars
Prime-four defenseman | Protection was the largest concern for the Stars getting into the season, and that hasn’t modified. In reality, these points have solely been compounded by the truth that Thomas Harley has regressed. GM Jim Nill must discover a answer there. 1 25-7-6
3

Wild
Totally different division | “Hey Santa, this Central Division is not any joke. How a couple of spot within the Metro or Atlantic? We might even accept the Pacific.” 1 22-10-6
4

Pink Wings
Higher capturing luck | The Pink Wings now lead the Atlantic Division, and that is despite an 8.15% capturing share at five-on-five. Detroit ranks twenty sixth in that class, so the crew ought to take off if extra of these pictures begin to hit the twine. 3 22-13-3
5

Golden Knights
Bonus factors | Vegas has picked up not less than one level in 26 of its 34 video games, however getting the complete two factors has been a difficulty. The Golden Knights lead the NHL with 10 extra time losses. If just a few of these had gone the opposite approach, they’d be main the division. — 17-8-10
6

Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk | This is likely one of the extra real looking needs on this record. Tkachuk might not make it down the chimney in time for Christmas, however there’s hypothesis he’ll attempt to go well with up for the NHL Winter Basic on Jan. 2. 6 20-14-2
7

Hurricanes
Stankoven surge | Logan Stankoven was an enormous a part of the return within the Mikko Rantanen commerce final 12 months, however he is struggled to seek out his footing with 16 factors in 35 video games. Stankoven must be an ideal match for the Hurricanes’ aggressive model, nevertheless it has but to actually click on. 5 22-11-3
8

Oilers
Two extra wins | Final season, the Oilers got here up two wins wanting the Stanley Cup (and that was additional away than they had been in 2024). You possibly can wager Connor McDavid has each intention of keen his crew to these elusive fifteenth and sixteenth playoff wins. 8 19-13-6
9

Geese
Protection | This younger Geese crew has an actual knack of scoring objectives (t-Third with 125). Sadly, additionally they have a knack for surrendering objectives to their opponents (thirty first with 126). If Anaheim can tighten issues up defensively, it will be in enterprise. 1 21-14-2
10

Lightning
Classic Level | It was already true that the Lightning wanted Brayden Level at his greatest to win the Stanley Cup, however that is very true with Brandon Hagel out of the lineup. At his greatest, Level is likely one of the greatest facilities within the NHL, however he hasn’t been wherever close to that degree but in 2025-26. — 20-13-3
11

Islanders
Olympic bid for Schaefer | The Olympic groups will quickly be introduced, and I will pound the desk for Schaefer. He could also be 18 years previous, however he is already proven the flexibility to thrive in opposition to one of the best gamers on the earth. Don’t deny him, Canada. 2 20-13-4
12

Capitals
Facilities | The Capitals are a superb crew, however they’re severely missing at a very powerful place on the ice. Stack up their heart depth with that of different Japanese Convention playoff hopefuls, and there is not a lot comparability, with all due respect to Dylan Strome. 6 19-13-5
13

Senators
Goaltending | The Senators have develop into an elite defensive crew, and so they have a pleasant assortment of younger offensive expertise. If the Sens might get a save or two, they’d be within the driver’s seat to win the Atlantic Division. 6 18-13-5
14

Canadiens
Ahead reinforcements | I’ve famous it earlier than in these energy rankings, however Montreal is one thing of a one-trick pony up entrance. One line does many of the heavy lifting, so GM Kent Hughes wants to seek out Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki a little bit help. 1 20-12-5
15

Flyers
Maximized Michkov | Rick Tocchet has helped the Flyers hit one other degree, however the one participant lagging behind may be a very powerful. Matvei Michkov is on tempo for 21 objectives and 25 assists, which might be a transparent step again from his rookie season. Philly wants a little bit extra out of Michkov to achieve the playoffs. 2 19-10-7
16

Sabres
Playoffs | Because of the heap of mediocrity that’s the East, the Sabres are very a lot alive amidst their six-game successful streak. Buffalo has given its fan base the present of hope this Christmas. 9 18-14-4
17

Bruins
Peak McAvoy | For essentially the most half, the Bruins have been capable of stroll a slender path to success with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie carrying the offense and Jeremy Swayman taking part in nicely in purpose. The ultimate piece to that puzzle is getting elite protection from Charlie McAvoy. 6 20-17-1
18

Kings
Offense (once more) | The Kings have some additional offense on their want record for the third (fourth?) 12 months in a row. Santa has but to ship, so perhaps Los Angeles is just on the naughty record. Both that or the massive man has bother discovering Crypto.com Area. 4 15-12-9
19

Devils
Prime-six ahead | this Devils roster, they simply appear a bit incomplete on the prime. Possibly Ryan O’Reilly can be ready underneath the tree. What about Jonathan Marchessault? May Nazem Kadri be on his approach to Newark? New Jersey has some choices. 1 20-16-1
20

Mammoth
Second-half push | Regardless of depressing goaltending and a devastating harm to Logan Cooley, the Mammoth are nonetheless within the thick of the playoff race out West. All it is going to take is a second-half run to cement their standing as an actual playoff risk. 3 18-18-3
21

Rangers
Residence cookin’ | The Rangers have gotten a little bit higher at Madison Sq. Backyard, however they’re nonetheless 5-10-3 on house ice. That ranks thirty first within the NHL, so a little bit house cookin’ within the second half would go a great distance towards placing New York within the playoffs. 1 19-16-4
22

Sharks
Keaton Verhoeff | Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are the longer term at ahead. Yaroslav Askarov is the longer term in purpose. If the Sharks can land one other premium draft decide in 2026, Verhoeff may very well be their cornerstone on the blue line. 1 17-17-3
23

Predators
Course | Early within the season, the Predators could not purchase a win and had been on the quick monitor to a hearth sale. Since Thanksgiving, Nashville has been the most effective groups within the league, so these plans at the moment are on maintain. Decide a lane, fellas. 3 16-16-4
24

Maple Leafs
Change | Toronto has taken up residence within the East’s basement, and the stress is mounting. Assistant coach Marc Savard was simply fired, however is that actually sufficient to spark this crew? Whether or not it is a change at head coach or an enormous commerce, there must be a serious shake-up. 7 16-15-5
25

Penguins
Readability | Sidney Crosby’s future continues to be an enormous story in Pittsburgh, and it might stay that approach with a muddled playoff race within the East. The Penguins are at an organizational crossroads, and there’s no clear reply about the place Crosby can be in 2026. 7 15-12-9
26

Flames
Draft capital | Between Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson and Blake Coleman, the Flames have just a few gamers who can be very useful to playoff groups. They should squeeze as a lot draft capital out of that trio as humanly doable. 1 15-18-4
27

Blue Jackets
Successful streak | The Blue Jackets are close to the underside of the standings however simply 5 factors out of a playoff spot. They only acquired Mason Marchment from the Kraken. They have not received greater than two video games in a row since October. If Columbus can get on a roll, it will not be onerous to get again into the playoff image. 2 15-15-6
28

Blues
2019 Binnington | If the Blues are going to get again into the struggle, it is going to take a small miracle. Properly, both that or Jordan Binnington returning to his 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs kind. Heck, St. Louis would possibly accept his 4 Nations Face-Off kind. 2 14-16-8
29

Canucks
Gavin McKenna | Vancouver simply traded away one franchise celebrity in Quinn Hughes, and it wants one other one to switch him. Touchdown Gavin McKenna at No. 1 total can be an effective way to ease the ache of dropping Hughes. 2 15-18-3
30

Jets
Refresh | This crew has gotten stale. There isn’t any two methods about it. Connor Hellebuyck has to hold Winnipeg as a result of there’s a actual lack of star energy. It may be time for the Jets to discover a “retool” or “revamp” or no matter pablum GMs are placing on the market these days. 6 15-17-3
31

Kraken
Calder Trophy Beniers | It could be straightforward to overlook that Matty Beniers posted 24 objectives and 33 assists as a rookie in 2022-23. Sadly for him and the Kraken, these stay profession highs as his improvement has plateaued. 1 15-14-6
32

Blackhawks
Time machine | Bear in mind when Connor Bedard was absolutely wholesome and the Blackhawks regarded like a enjoyable up-and-coming crew? Me too. Chicago might wish to rewind the season by a couple of month. 4 13-17-6