NHL Power Rankings: Updated Team Standings and Performance Analysis

With the NHL regular season concluding on April 17th, the playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams secure their spots or face elimination.

This week sees a change at the top of our rankings. We also assess each of the 32 teams` performance relative to their preseason projected point totals from ESPN BET.

Ranking Methodology: Our power rankings are determined by a consensus poll from ESPN`s panel of hockey experts, including commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors. Rankings are based on team performance through Wednesday`s games.

Note: Previous rankings are from the March 28th edition. Point percentages are current through Thursday`s games.

Contents

1. 1. Winnipeg Jets
2. 2. Washington Capitals
3. 3. Dallas Stars
4. 4. Vegas Golden Knights
5. 5. Carolina Hurricanes
6. 6. Toronto Maple Leafs
7. 7. Colorado Avalanche
8. 8. Tampa Bay Lightning
9. 9. Los Angeles Kings
10. 10. Florida Panthers
11. 11. Edmonton Oilers
12. 12. St. Louis Blues
13. 13. New Jersey Devils
14. 14. Minnesota Wild
15. 15. Ottawa Senators
16. 16. Calgary Flames
17. 17. Vancouver Canucks
18. 18. Montreal Canadiens
19. 19. Utah Hockey Club
20. 20. New York Rangers
21. 21. Columbus Blue Jackets
22. 22. Detroit Red Wings
23. 23. New York Islanders
24. 24. Anaheim Ducks
25. 25. Pittsburgh Penguins
26. 26. Buffalo Sabres
27. 27. Philadelphia Flyers
28. 28. Seattle Kraken
29. 29. Boston Bruins
30. 30. Nashville Predators
31. 31. Chicago Blackhawks
32. 32. San Jose Sharks

1. Winnipeg Jets

• Previous Ranking: 2
• Points Percentage: 71.1%
• Projected Points: 95.5
• Points Pace: 115.9

Despite a slight dip from their initial dominant streak, the Jets are still contenders for the top overall seed as they head into the playoffs, aiming for a deeper postseason run than recent years.

Next seven days: @ UTA (April 5), vs. STL (April 7), @ DAL (April 10)

2. Washington Capitals

• Previous Ranking: 1
• Points Percentage: 70.0%
• Projected Points: 89.5
• Points Pace: 114.8

While Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of Gretzky`s record is a major storyline, the Capitals have evolved into a well-rounded and formidable team. Could they be Stanley Cup contenders again?

Next seven days: vs. CHI (April 4), @ NYI (April 6), vs. CAR (April 10)

3. Dallas Stars

• Previous Ranking: 3
• Points Percentage: 69.3%
• Projected Points: 103.5
• Points Pace: 113.0

Expected to be strong, the Stars have surpassed expectations and are in contention for the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top regular-season team.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (April 5), @ MIN (April 6), vs. VAN (April 8), vs. WPG (April 10)

4. Vegas Golden Knights

• Previous Ranking: 4
• Points Percentage: 65.3%
• Projected Points: 97.5
• Points Pace: 108.6

Playoff-bound again, the Golden Knights are a constant. The question is whether this postseason will mirror their 2023 Cup victory or their early exit in 2024.

Next seven days: @ CGY (April 5), @ VAN (April 6), @ COL (April 8), vs. SEA (April 10)

5. Carolina Hurricanes

• Previous Ranking: 5
• Points Percentage: 64.9%
• Projected Points: 100.5
• Points Pace: 106.4

Under Rod Brind`Amour, the Hurricanes are predictably heading to the playoffs. Is this the year they return to the Stanley Cup Final?

Next seven days: @ DET (April 4), @ BOS (April 5), @ BUF (April 8), @ WSH (April 10)

6. Toronto Maple Leafs

• Previous Ranking: 9
• Points Percentage: 64.0%
• Projected Points: 102.5
• Points Pace: 105.0

Making their ninth consecutive playoff appearance, the Maple Leafs, now with Craig Berube`s system, hope for a less disappointing postseason outcome for their fans.

Next seven days: vs. CBJ (April 5), @ FLA (April 8), @ TB (April 9)

7. Colorado Avalanche

• Previous Ranking: 6
• Points Percentage: 63.6%
• Projected Points: 102.5
• Points Pace: 103.6

Despite an inconsistent season, the Avalanche are performing close to preseason expectations.

Next seven days: @ STL (April 5), vs. VGK (April 8), vs. VAN (April 10)

8. Tampa Bay Lightning

• Previous Ranking: 11
• Points Percentage: 62.0%
• Projected Points: 98.5
• Points Pace: 103.1

Bolstered by additions at the trade deadline, the Lightning have been among the league`s top teams since early March.

Next seven days: @ BUF (Apil 5), @ NYR (April 7), vs. TOR (April 9)

9. Los Angeles Kings

• Previous Ranking: 7
• Points Percentage: 63.3%
• Projected Points: 96.5
• Points Pace: 103.1

With a strong defensive record, the Kings will rely on their goal suppression capabilities in a likely first-round series against the Oilers.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (April 5), vs. SEA (April 7), vs. ANA (April 10)

10. Florida Panthers

• Previous Ranking: 8
• Points Percentage: 61.3%
• Projected Points: 102.5
• Points Pace: 100.6

Performing close to their projections, the Panthers are likely headed for a first-round rematch with Tampa Bay.

Next seven days: @ OTT (April 5), @ DET (April 6), vs. TOR (April 8), vs. DET (April 10)

11. Edmonton Oilers

• Previous Ranking: 10
• Points Percentage: 62.0%
• Projected Points: 108.5
• Points Pace: 100.8

Despite slightly underperforming preseason expectations, the Oilers, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, are focused on a championship run.

Next seven days: @ LA (April 5), @ ANA (April 7), vs. STL (April 9)

12. St. Louis Blues

• Previous Ranking: 12
• Points Percentage: 59.1%
• Projected Points: 86.5
• Points Pace: 96.0

The surging Blues have entered the playoff conversation and are set to exceed their predicted point total significantly.

Next seven days: vs. COL (April 5), @ WPG (April 7), @ EDM (April 9)

13. New Jersey Devils

• Previous Ranking: 14
• Points Percentage: 57.2%
• Projected Points: 101.5
• Points Pace: 93.9

Clinging to a playoff spot, the Devils` strong start has been tempered by injuries to key players like Hughes and Hamilton.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (April 5), vs. BOS (April 8)

14. Minnesota Wild

• Previous Ranking: 13
• Points Percentage: 58.6%
• Projected Points: 93.5
• Points Pace: 96.0

A solid first half has given the Wild a cushion, keeping them in playoff contention and ahead of their preseason projections.

Next seven days: @ NYI (April 4), vs. DAL (April 6), vs. SJ (April 9)

15. Ottawa Senators

• Previous Ranking: 15
• Points Percentage: 57.3%
• Projected Points: 90.5
• Points Pace: 93.1

Potentially returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Senators are hoping this marks the beginning of a new era.

Next seven days: vs. FLA (April 5), vs. CBJ (April 6), @ CBJ (April 8)

16. Calgary Flames

• Previous Ranking: 16
• Points Percentage: 56.0%
• Projected Points: 81.5
• Points Pace: 90.9

While a playoff spot is less certain now, the Flames are showing more promise than many anticipated at the start of the season.

Next seven days: vs. VGK (April 5), @ SJ (April 7), @ ANA (April 9)

17. Vancouver Canucks

• Previous Ranking: 17
• Points Percentage: 54.0%
• Projected Points: 99.5
• Points Pace: 88.6

The Canucks` decline from division leaders to potential playoff outsiders would be a bigger story if not for other major disappointments around the league.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (April 5), vs. VGK (April 6), @ DAL (April 8), @ COL (April 10)

18. Montreal Canadiens

• Previous Ranking: 18
• Points Percentage: 54.0%
• Projected Points: 76.5
• Points Pace: 87.5

Contrary to predictions favoring Detroit or Buffalo, the Canadiens are unexpectedly in the wild-card mix.

Next seven days: vs. PHI (April 5), @ NSH (April 6), vs. DET (April 8)

19. Utah Hockey Club

• Previous Ranking: 19
• Points Percentage: 52.6%
• Projected Points: 87.5
• Points Pace: 87.5

In their inaugural NHL season, Utah is surprisingly competing for a playoff spot, exceeding initial modest expectations.

Next seven days: vs. WPG (April 5), vs. SEA (April 8), vs. NSH (April 10)

20. New York Rangers

• Previous Ranking: 21
• Points Percentage: 52.7%
• Projected Points: 100.5
• Points Pace: 86.4

Despite falling short of projections, the Rangers are still in the wild-card race, with other preseason favorites faring worse.

Next seven days: @ NJ (April 5), vs. TB (April 7), vs. PHI (April 9), @ NYI (April 10)

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

• Previous Ranking: 22
• Points Percentage: 52.0%
• Projected Points: 69.5
• Points Pace: 86.5

Projected to be near the bottom, the Blue Jackets are surprisingly still in contention for a wild-card spot late in the season.

Next seven days: @ TOR (April 5), @ OTT (April 6), vs. OTT (April 8), vs. BUF (April 10)

22. Detroit Red Wings

• Previous Ranking: 23
• Points Percentage: 50.7%
• Projected Points: 90.5
• Points Pace: 83.1

Red Wings fans` playoff hopes remain unfulfilled, as 2025 is increasingly unlikely to be their return year.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 4), vs. FLA (April 6), @ MTL (April 8), @ FLA (April 10)

23. New York Islanders

• Previous Ranking: 20
• Points Percentage: 50.0%
• Projected Points: 91.5
• Points Pace: 82.0

The Islanders` knack for doing just enough to make the playoffs is being tested, with time running out this season.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (April 4), vs. WSH (April 6), @ NSH (April 8), vs. NYR (April 10)

24. Anaheim Ducks

• Previous Ranking: 26
• Points Percentage: 49.3%
• Projected Points: 72.5
• Points Pace: 82.0

Though missing the playoffs, the Ducks have outperformed expectations by a significant margin this season.

Next seven days: @ VAN (April 5), vs. EDM (April 7), vs. CGY (April 9), @ LA (April 10)

25. Pittsburgh Penguins

• Previous Ranking: 24
• Points Percentage: 47.4%
• Projected Points: 90.5
• Points Pace: 77.6

A late push may not be enough for the Penguins to reach the playoffs, likely extending their postseason drought to three years.

Next seven days: @ DAL (April 5), @ CHI (April 6), vs. CHI (April 8)

26. Buffalo Sabres

• Previous Ranking: 30
• Points Percentage: 47.3%
• Projected Points: 88.5
• Points Pace: 77.6

The Sabres` playoff wait continues, stretching to 14 seasons for 2024-25.

Next seven days: vs. TB (April 5), vs. BOS (April 6), vs. CAR (April 8), @ CBJ (April 10)

27. Philadelphia Flyers

• Previous Ranking: 29
• Points Percentage: 46.7%
• Projected Points: 85.5
• Points Pace: 76.6

After a late-season push last year, the Flyers` struggles this season led to a coaching change.

Next seven days: @ MTL (April 5), @ NYR (April 9)

28. Seattle Kraken

• Previous Ranking: 27
• Points Percentage: 46.1%
• Projected Points: 87.5
• Points Pace: 75.5

The Kraken`s second-round playoff appearance in 2023 seems to have been an anomaly, not the start of sustained success.

Next seven days: @ SJ (April 5), @ LA (April 7), @ UTA (April 8), @ VGK (April 10)

29. Boston Bruins

• Previous Ranking: 25
• Points Percentage: 45.4%
• Projected Points: 99.5
• Points Pace: 75.4

With a significant negative goal differential, the Bruins are clearly in need of an offseason reset.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 5), @ BUF (April 6), @ NJ (April 8), vs. CHI (April 10)

30. Nashville Predators

• Previous Ranking: 28
• Points Percentage: 40.8%
• Projected Points: 98.5
• Points Pace: 67.8

Despite an offseason that looked promising with key signings, the Predators have become the third team eliminated from playoff contention.

Next seven days: vs. MTL (April 6), vs. NYI (April 8), @ UTA (April 10)

31. Chicago Blackhawks

• Previous Ranking: 31
• Points Percentage: 34.7%
• Projected Points: 73.5
• Points Pace: 56.9

If the Blackhawks` goal was to secure a high draft pick to complement Connor Bedard, they have succeeded.

Next seven days: @ WSH (April 4), vs. PIT (April 6), @ PIT (April 8), @ BOS (April 10)

32. San Jose Sharks

• Previous Ranking: 32
• Points Percentage: 33.3%
• Projected Points: 63.5
• Points Pace: 55.4

While there are positive signs for the future, the Sharks are likely to fall short of their projected point total. Could significant changes be coming this summer?

Next seven days: vs. SEA (April 5), vs. CGY (April 7), @ MIN (April 9)