NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams: Complete report cards at the season's quarter mark

The NHL has reached the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season, and the standings are tighter than ever before. With nine points separating all 16 teams in the Eastern Conference for the first time in an 82-game season history, every game carries playoff implications. The compressed schedule ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina has created a relentless pace where teams play every other day or on back-to-back sequences, leaving little time for practice or recovery. As Seattle center Chandler Stephenson noted, “It almost feels like playoffs.”

Through 328 games, 90 have gone to overtime—the most at this stage in NHL history—contributing to the parity. Six teams that missed the playoffs last season currently hold postseason positions, while traditional powerhouses like the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers and two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers find themselves outside the playoff picture. Here’s how all 32 teams grade out after the first quarter, with analysis drawn from detailed performance metrics and expert evaluation.

A+ and A grades: The elite tier dominating the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams

The Colorado Avalanche aren’t just good—they’re potentially historic. Leading the NHL in goals per game while conceding the fewest, Colorado is on pace for 137.9 points, threatening the Bruins’ single-season record of 135 set in 2022-23. Nathan MacKinnon is positioned to win his second Hart Trophy, while Cale Makar could capture his third Norris and challenge for the Hart himself. The supporting cast has finally materialized into consistent contributors. The only blemish? A bottom-10 power play converting at just 15.7%, a surprising weakness for such a dominant even-strength team. Their underlying numbers are staggering: most scoring chances, shots, and high-danger opportunities per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 play, while ranking top-10 in fewest shots and high-danger chances allowed.

The Anaheim Ducks represent the season’s biggest surprise, fighting for the Pacific Division crown despite a preseason over/under of just 83.5 points. They’re on pace for 108.1 points behind the league’s second-most prolific attack. Chris Kreider’s 14 points in his first 15 games provided veteran leadership, but Leo Carlsson’s development is the real story. The second-year center is projected to finish with 108 points, which would threaten Teemu Selanne’s franchise record of 109. Anaheim’s youth movement is thriving, though they remain overly reliant on Lukas Dostal, who has started 17 of 22 games and is projected for 63 appearances—a workload typically reserved for elite starters. Defensively, the Ducks rank in the top three in scoring chances, shots, and high-danger chances allowed per 60, though Dostal’s 5.42 goals saved above expected has masked many issues.

The Dallas Stars demonstrate that efficiency can trump dominance under Glen Gulutzan’s second tenure. Despite ranking in the bottom 10 in scoring chances, shots, and high-danger chances per 60, the Stars sit second in power-play efficiency and 10th in goals per game. This efficiency has answered offseason questions about replacing Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, and Mason Marchment. The Stars rank top 10 in fewest goals allowed and high-danger chances allowed per 60, yet their penalty kill struggles at 75.7%—bottom 10 in the NHL. This special teams disconnect is the primary concern for a team otherwise built for playoff success.

Detroit is experiencing its best start in a decade, validating Steve Yzerman’s vision for a high-skilled, defensively responsible team. Todd McLellan’s first full season has maximized potential across the roster. Dylan Larkin leads the team in goals and points while providing veteran leadership for rookies Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson. Axel Sandin-Pellikka has bolstered the blue line, allowing Detroit to rank among the fewest shots against per game. The power play has been strong, but even-strength scoring needs improvement to avoid over-reliance on the extra man. Goaltending remains a question—John Gibson, the big offseason acquisition, hasn’t been the savior they hoped for, though Cam Talbot has improved from last season.

The New York Islanders have exceeded every preseason expectation behind Matthew Schaefer, who has exceeded all projections as the No. 1 overall pick. The rookie defenseman plays over 22 minutes per game and leads Calder Trophy conversation with his two-way excellence. Maxim Shabanov, another rookie, delivered a three-point performance during a recent 6-1-0 road trip. Bo Horvat is having his best season in years, while a healthy Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri anchor the offense. Ilya Sorokin and David Rittich have provided solid goaltending. The power play ranks among the league’s worst, and the offense may be too top-heavy to sustain. Losing Alexander Romanov for five to six months to shoulder surgery compounds the challenge.

The Pittsburgh Penguins round out the elite tier as arguably the season’s most surprising contender. First-year coach Dan Muse has transformed Pittsburgh into a legitimate playoff team, projected for 97.6 points after a 77.5-point preseason over/under. Muse’s system gives players freedom to operate, resulting in the league’s best power play and top-10 offense. Defensively, they’re surrendering the second-fewest goals while Arturs Silovs and an improved Tristan Jarry share the crease. The Penguins are 0-4 in overtime and shootouts, leaving valuable points on the table in historically tight standings. Rickard Rakell’s two-month absence with a broken hand and Jarry’s recent IR stint test the team’s improved depth.

A- and B+ grades: Strong contenders in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams

The Carolina Hurricanes remain a model of consistency under Rod Brind’Amour, losing consecutive games only once this season. Their structure emphasizes smothering defense, yet the offense ranks second overall led by Seth Jarvis (team lead in goals), Sebastian Aho (points leader), and Jordan Staal’s steady two-way play. Pyotr Kochetkov has excelled while Frederik Andersen struggles with consistency and health. The power play ranks dead last in the NHL, while the penalty kill sits at 21st—a puzzling disconnect for a team that ranks third in 5-on-5 goals. Andersen’s goaltending concerns persist; the often-injured veteran has posted poor numbers when available, creating a potential playoff vulnerability.

New Jersey’s star power has delivered—Jack Hughes had 20 points in 17 games, Jesper Bratt 21 in 21, and Nico Hischier remains a premier two-way center. Jake Allen has been excellent handling an increased workload, while Simon Nemec has blossomed into the top-pairing defenseman they envisioned. The Devils recently suffered a devastating blow when Hughes required finger surgery after a freak restaurant accident, sidelining him for multiple weeks along with Cody Glass and Brett Pesce. Depth scoring becomes critical now, especially with Jacob Markstrom struggling to provide consistent goaltending support for Allen. The Devils must find ways to generate offense without exposing Allen to excessive shots.

Several teams in the B+ range have overachieved relative to expectations. The Boston Bruins were supposed to cellar-dwell in the Atlantic Division, but Marco Sturm’s defense-first structure has them contending despite Elias Lindholm missing most of the season. The Chicago Blackhawks have seen Connor Bedard erase sophomore doubts, pacing for 116 points—the highest-scoring season by a Blackhawk not named Denis Savard. Montreal’s Jakub Dobes has emerged as an unexpected backbone, while Philadelphia’s Dan Vladar has evolved from tandem option to reliable starter. San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini is making a case for the greatest individual season in Sharks history, and Seattle’s massive goaltending investment is paying dividends with the NHL’s best 5-on-5 save percentage.

B and B- grades: The solid middle of NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams

The Columbus Blue Jackets can always count on Zach Werenski to deliver, and the franchise cornerstone has been exactly that, playing nearly 27 minutes per game while reaching 400 career points. Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, and Adam Fantilli showcase the bright offensive future. Jet Greaves has provided better-than-expected goaltending, keeping Columbus in the wild-card conversation. The Blue Jackets rank among the best rush attacks at 5-on-5 but suffer from middling power play and one of the league’s worst penalty kills. Boone Jenner’s injury exacerbates the significant drop-off in talent throughout the lineup, leaving Columbus vulnerable to deeper opponents.

The Los Angeles Kings’ defensive consistency addresses last spring’s first-round collapse against Edmonton, where they surrendered 20 goals in four games after taking a 2-0 series lead. They allow the fifth-fewest goals per game (2.68), establishing a foundation for close, low-scoring victories. The offensive struggles are perplexing—ranking bottom six in goals per game and power-play efficiency despite generating sixth-most high-danger chances and 12th-most shots. The underlying metrics suggest untapped potential, but the Kings’ inability to convert chances makes their defensive structure absolutely essential for playoff positioning.

Health has been Minnesota’s greatest asset after injuries derailed last season’s promising start. Eight players have appeared in every game, with 13 skaters playing 20-plus of 23 contests. The defensive core benefits from continuity—three of four top defensemen have played every game, with Jonas Brodin missing just one. The Wild rank top-half in scoring chances and shots per 60 yet sit bottom 10 in goals per game, creating a frustrating disconnect. To secure a more stable playoff position than their current third-place or wild-card jockeying, Minnesota must convert opportunities more efficiently.

The Florida Panthers’ injury report reads like a medical textbook. Captain Aleksander Barkov tore his ACL and MCL in preseason practice, ending his season. Eetu Luostarinen suffered burns in a barbecuing accident. Cole Schwindt broke his arm colliding with Sergei Bobrovsky. Matthew Tkachuk remains out after offseason surgery. Yet Florida’s championship DNA shows through—Brad Marchand is playing his best hockey in years, leading the team in goals and points, while Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell contribute strong two-way play. The Panthers are truly putting “bend-don’t-break” to the test, and it’s hard to even assess what they can be given how long the injured list is.

C grades: Struggling but salvageable in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams

The Washington Capitals have Alex Ovechkin still playing premier hockey into his 40s, tying for the team lead with 20 points in his first 20 games while adding another hat trick earlier this month. Tom Wilson, John Carlson, and Jakob Chychrun have all been difference-makers, while Logan Thompson has been outstanding in net, ranking among the league’s top starters in save percentage and goals-against average. Yet Washington isn’t the same team that finished atop the Eastern Conference last season. Coach Spencer Carbery’s aim to build a faster club that can keep pace with the league’s speedier lineups isn’t happening. There’s a lack of consistency in the scoring attack, worsened when Pierre-Luc Dubois hit injured reserve.

The Buffalo Sabres are showing signs of life after a disastrous start, winning four of their past five after a five-game losing streak. Colten Ellis, claimed off waivers from St. Louis in October, has stepped in to help stabilize Buffalo in net, going 3-1-0 with a .914 save percentage. Josh Doan has fit in well, playing over 15 minutes per game and notching 12 points in his first 20 games. Buffalo has produced the league’s best penalty kill (89.8%). Yet they’re not close to snapping their historically long playoff drought, sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Sabres are leaky defensively, their offense is top-heavy and inconsistent, and injuries have decimated the roster.

The Edmonton Oilers are a point out of the final wild-card place despite surrendering the most goals in the NHL, the most goals in 5-on-5 play, and posting the lowest team save percentage. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both average more than a point per game, while Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jack Roslovic contribute offensively. The two-time defending Western Conference champions have had slow starts before and still reached the Stanley Cup Final. However, the Oilers have given up more than four goals 13 times in 22 games, exposing systemic defensive issues that goaltending alone cannot solve.

D and F grades: The basement of NHL 2025-26 first-quarter grades for all 32 teams

The Calgary Flames are in contention for the worst record in the NHL despite a functional defensive structure. They rank top four in allowing the fewest scoring chances and high-danger chances per 60, and 13th in shots allowed per 60. The problem is historically bad offense—they’re averaging 2.38 goals per game, the second-lowest in the NHL. This figure would place them in the bottom 200 teams all-time in single-season goals per game. Even a recent three-game winning streak averaging 4.66 goals can’t mask how offense-challenged this team has been.

The Vancouver Canucks won four of their first six games, providing a glimpse of their potential with a healthy Thatcher Demko looking like his Vezina finalist self. Filip Chytil scored three goals during that stretch, and Kiefer Sherwood exploded for nine goals in October. Since October 21, nearly everything has gone wrong. The Canucks have had three three-game losing streaks and needed 29 skaters and three goaltenders just to get through 23 games. They’re bottom-10 in generating shots, scoring chances, and high-danger chances, while ranking worst or second-worst in allowing those same opportunities.

The Nashville Predators earn the only F grade as the league’s most disappointing team. They were the last to reach the 50-goal mark, averaging a league-worst 2.29 goals per game—a pace that would rank in the bottom 125 seasons in NHL history. Filip Forsberg continues building his franchise legacy, and Matthew Wood presents a strong Calder case, but Steven Stamkos is on pace for fewer than 20 goals for the first time in his career in a non-injury season. Roman Josi has missed most of the season, and the Preds give up the sixth-most goals per game with a bottom-seven power play. The only bright spot is an above-league-average penalty kill, but that’s scant consolation for a team in complete freefall.

What it means for the playoff race and beyond

The unprecedented parity through the first quarter suggests that trade deadline activity could be more aggressive than usual, with so many teams genuinely believing they’re one move away from securing a playoff spot. The Olympic break adds another variable—teams performing well may lose momentum, while struggling franchises could reset entirely. Goaltending has proven the great differentiator, with teams like Seattle and Pittsburgh vaulting into contention on the strength of unexpected netminding excellence. Conversely, veteran-laden squads with Cup pedigree like Florida and Edmonton can’t seem to find consistency between the pipes.

The compressed schedule means injuries will likely determine which teams fade down the stretch. Depth has never been more critical, and franchises that invested in organizational strength are reaping rewards. Meanwhile, those overly reliant on top-heavy rosters face precarious paths to the postseason. As teams approach the 40-game mark, expect separation to begin, though the standings may remain unsettlingly tight through the Olympic break and into the spring. For complete team-by-team breakdowns and updated standings analysis, visit NHL Insight’s comprehensive quarter-season report and their detailed grades and playoff implications analysis. For the original ESPN analysis that informed these grades, see their full team-by-team evaluation.