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

The NHL’s 2025-26 season has officially crossed the quarter mark, with all 32 teams having played more than 20 games and the Thanksgiving benchmark serving as hockey’s traditional playoff predictor. In a season defined by unprecedented parity—where just nine points separate all 16 playoff teams and the top six clubs are separated by a mere four points—the early returns reveal a landscape of stunning overachievers, confounding underperformers, and everything in between. From Colorado’s historic dominance to Nashville’s historic offensive futility, the first quarter has delivered surprises that defy preseason expectations and set the stage for what promises to be one of the most competitive playoff races in recent memory.

As we dive into comprehensive evaluations for each franchise, we examine not just where teams stand in the standings, but the underlying metrics, injury impacts, and systemic factors that will determine whether these early trends represent sustainable success or temporary mirages. The grades reflect performance relative to preseason expectations, roster health, and the all-important points pace that history suggests will determine postseason fate. For a deeper dive into individual team breakdowns and emerging trends, our complete NHL 2025-26 first-quarter analysis provides additional context on the season’s most compelling storylines.

A-tier performers in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report card

Colorado Avalanche: The gold standard

No team has dominated the opening quarter quite like the Colorado Avalanche, who sit atop the NHL with a staggering 137.9-point pace that threatens to surpass the Bruins’ 2022-23 record of 135 points. What makes Colorado truly special is their unprecedented two-way dominance: they lead the league in goals per game (4.00) while simultaneously allowing the fewest (2.10). This isn’t empty possession hockey either—the Avalanche generate the most scoring chances per 60 minutes, shots per 60, and high-danger opportunities at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick metrics.

Nathan MacKinnon has established himself as the Hart Trophy frontrunner with his most complete two-way season, while Cale Makar isn’t just contending for his third Norris Trophy but could challenge his own teammate for league MVP. The supporting cast has finally reached championship-caliber depth, with secondary scoring arriving from unexpected sources. As coach Jared Bednar noted after a recent dismantling of Vegas, “We’re not just beating teams, we’re systematically breaking them down in all three zones.”

The lone blemish—Colorado’s power play converting at just 15.7%—represents the only area where opponents can exploit them. However, when you’re dominating at even strength to this degree, special teams become a luxury rather than a necessity. The Avalanche’s plus-44 goal differential through 23 games isn’t just impressive; it’s historically dominant for this era of hockey.

Eastern conference surprises: Islanders and Penguins

The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as the Eastern Conference’s biggest surprises, each transforming seemingly flawed rosters into legitimate playoff contenders. The Islanders’ success hinges on rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick who immediately plays over 22 minutes per game and looks every bit the Calder Trophy favorite. Bo Horvat’s rejuvenation and Mathew Barzal’s health have created a top-six attack that, while still somewhat top-heavy, produces enough offense to complement Ilya Sorokin’s stellar goaltending.

Pittsburgh’s transformation under first-year coach Dan Muse represents perhaps the most shocking turnaround. The Penguins sit ninth in points percentage despite preseason over/under projections of just 77.5 points—a 20-point improvement in pace. Their league-leading power play (29.3%) and second-ranked penalty kill create special teams dominance rarely seen in today’s NHL. The emergence of Arturs Silovs in net has stabilized a position that plagued them last season, while veterans like Sidney Crosby have embraced a defense-first structure that maximizes their remaining offensive punch.

Central and Pacific division stalwarts

Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan has engineered another contender despite offseason losses of Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, and Mason Marchment. The Stars rank second in power-play efficiency and 10th in goals per game, demonstrating remarkable efficiency despite bottom-10 underlying metrics in shot generation. This efficiency-over-volume approach reflects a mature team that understands championship hockey requires adaptability.

In the Pacific, the Anaheim Ducks have capitalized on Joel Quenneville’s championship pedigree to become legitimate division contenders. Leo Carlsson’s 108-point pace would rank among the greatest seasons in franchise history, while Chris Kreider’s 14 points in 15 games provided the veteran presence this young core desperately needed. However, Anaheim’s reliance on Lukas Dostal—projected for 63 starts—raises concerns about long-term sustainability, especially given their bottom-three metrics in shots against and high-danger chances allowed.

B-grade overachievers in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report card

Atlantic division risers

The Detroit Red Wings are experiencing their best start in a decade, with Steve Yzerman’s long-term vision finally materializing on the ice. Rookie forwards Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson have injected youthful energy into a lineup anchored by Dylan Larkin’s Hart-caliber performance. The Red Wings rank among the top teams in shots allowed per game, though their 3.15 goals-against average suggests goaltending remains a question mark despite John Gibson’s offseason acquisition.

Montreal’s dramatic improvement stems from goaltender Jakub Dobes, who has outperformed starter Sam Montembeault and provided the stability that allowed Montreal’s young stars to flourish. Cole Caufield’s 13 goals and Nick Suzuki’s 22 points demonstrate high-end skill, but recent regression—including a 7-0 loss to Dallas—exposes depth concerns. The Canadiens have lost Kaiden Guhle, Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine, and Alex Newhook to injury, testing their organizational depth to the breaking point.

Philadelphia’s Rick Tocchet has built a defensive fortress that ranks top-10 in goals against, with Dan Vladar emerging from a backup role to become a reliable starter. Trevor Zegras has delivered on his potential with a point-per-game pace, but Matvei Michkov’s step-back (nine points in 19 games) highlights the inconsistency plaguing their bottom-six forward group.

Western conference balance

The Seattle Kraken represent the ultimate contradiction: they sit just one point behind Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead despite ranking 29th in goals per game. Their goaltending trio of Joey Daccord, Philipp Grubauer, and Matt Murray leads the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage, while their defensive structure limits high-danger chances better than all but two teams. However, their inability to generate offense—dead last in scoring chances and shots per 60—creates a margin for error so thin that any regression in net will collapse their entire season.

Vegas faces a similar paradox. Their defensive structure without Alex Pietrangelo ranks top-three in limiting high-danger chances and shots against, yet their .893 team save percentage in all situations ranks bottom-third in the league. The impending reinstatement of Carter Hart from AHL conditioning adds another unpredictable variable to a goaltending situation that has undermined their championship aspirations.

C-level concerns in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report card

Canadian market disappointments

The Toronto Maple Leafs have become the season’s most confounding underachiever, with injuries providing convenient cover for deeper systemic issues. William Nylander’s 27 points in 19 games and John Tavares’ resurgence (12 goals) can’t mask a defense that ranks third-worst in goals against per game. The absence of Mitch Marner has exposed a roster construction problem that GM Brad Treliving’s offseason moves failed to address. As coach Craig Berube admitted after a recent 6-2 loss, “We’re a team trying to find ourselves every night, and that’s not a recipe for success.”

Edmonton’s struggles mirror Toronto’s, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s combined 47 points failing to compensate for the league’s worst goaltending. The Oilers have surrendered four or more goals 13 times in 22 games, posting a league-low .873 team save percentage. Their third-period collapses have become so routine that coach Kris Knoblauch’s job security faces legitimate questions despite reaching last season’s Stanley Cup Final.

The New York Rangers’ offensive ineptitude under new coach Mike Sullivan defies explanation. Ranking 30th in goals per game (2.48) with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and J.T. Miller performing well below career norms suggests a systemic problem rather than individual slumps. Their defensive structure ranks among the league’s best, but you can’t win games averaging fewer than two-and-a-half goals, especially with Panarin posting his worst points-per-game rate since his rookie season.

Metropolitan mediocrity

The Washington Capitals’ fall from Eastern Conference champions to playoff bubble team illustrates the danger of aging cores combined with poor underlying metrics. Alex Ovechkin’s continued brilliance at 40 years old (20 points in 20 games) masks a power play that ranks bottom-third and a penalty kill sitting at 24th. The loss of Pierre-Luc Dubois to injury exposed their lack of forward depth, while Tom Wilson’s suspension history leaves them vulnerable to disciplinary action at any moment.

Buffalo occupies familiar territory—last in the Atlantic despite flashes of promise. Colten Ellis’s waiver-wire acquisition provided temporary goaltending stability, but their league-worst 2.29 goals-per-game average reflects a roster that simply can’t compete consistently. The Sabres’ recent four-wins-in-five stretch offers hope, but their dependence on top-heavy scoring and porous defense suggests another lottery finish looms.

D-grade and failing marks in the NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report card

Western conference basement

The Calgary Flames own the NHL’s worst record despite a defensively sound structure that ranks top-four in limiting scoring chances. Their 2.38 goals-per-game average would rank among the bottom 200 offensive seasons in league history, a historically futile performance that even three recent victories can’t mask. The Flames’ inability to convert quality chances—shooting just 6.8% at 5-on-5—reflects both a talent deficit and confidence crisis that will likely persist through the trade deadline.

Vancouver’s freefall from Presidents’ Trophy contender to lottery favorite stems from catastrophic injuries and defensive breakdowns. They’ve used 29 skaters and three goaltenders through 23 games, with Thatcher Demko’s early-season Vezina form giving way to mediocrity. Their underlying metrics reveal a team worst in the NHL at allowing shots, scoring chances, and high-danger opportunities per 60 minutes. The Canucks’ four-wins-in-six start has been completely erased by three separate three-game losing streaks.

St. Louis’s disaster stems from goaltending that undermines their solid defensive structure. Despite ranking top-10 in limiting chances, they surrender the third-most goals per game (3.64) due to a team save percentage that sits fourth-worst in the league. The offseason addition of Pius Suter was supposed to boost offense, but the Blues rank bottom-five in goals per game, creating a perfect storm of offensive impotence and goaltending futility.

Nashville’s historic futility

The Nashville Predators have achieved something remarkable—they’ve made the 2024-25 Sharks look offensively competent. Their 2.29 goals-per-game average ranks dead last and threatens to become one of the 125 lowest-scoring seasons in NHL history. Steven Stamkos’ projected sub-20-goal season epitomizes the Predators’ decline, while Roman Josi’s extended absence exposes a roster completely dependent on its aging superstar.

Filip Forsberg’s solid individual performance (projected 30-goal pace) and Matthew Wood’s Calder-caliber rookie season provide the only bright spots. However, when you’re last in scoring and sixth-worst in goals against, no individual accomplishments matter. The Predators’ below-average penalty kill serves as their best statistical category, which says everything about a season destined for the Connor Bedes sweepstakes.

Playoff implications and second-quarter outlook

The quarter mark’s most striking revelation is the unprecedented parity that’s rendered traditional power rankings meaningless. With 77% of playoff teams historically determined by Thanksgiving, the current cluster of 16 teams separated by nine points suggests this season will defy conventional wisdom. Colorado’s dominance appears sustainable given their two-way excellence, but history shows that even juggernauts face challenges maintaining this pace over 82 games.

The Eastern Conference’s middle class—led by surprising Pittsburgh and resilient Boston—creates a traffic jam that will test roster depth and coaching adaptability. The Islanders’ and Penguins’ early success may regress as underlying metrics catch up, but both have banked enough points to withstand cold streaks. Toronto and the Rangers face monumental climbs from their self-dug holes, requiring near-perfect second quarters just to re-enter playoff contention.

Out West, Anaheim and Seattle’s Pacific Division battle exemplifies the contrast between sustainable success and goaltending-dependent magic. The Ducks’ youth movement under Quenneville appears legitimate, while Seattle’s reliance on netminding represents a house of cards. Edmonton’s goaltending crisis and Winnipeg’s injury woes create openings for Chicago and San Jose’s rebuilding projects to make unlikely playoff pushes, though both remain a year away from true contention.

As teams approach the season’s midpoint, the trade deadline looms large. Colorado’s cap space and Dallas’ defensive needs position them as buyers, while Nashville, Calgary, and St. Louis must decide whether to retool or fully embrace rebuilding. The injury epidemic affecting stars like Barkov, Hughes, and Hellebuyck has created opportunity for depth players to prove their value, potentially reshaping roster construction philosophies league-wide.

What this quarter has ultimately revealed is a league in transition, where analytical sophistication has created such tactical parity that goaltending variance and injury luck often determine outcomes. The teams that navigate these variables while developing young talent and maintaining flexibility will separate themselves as true contenders. For now, the standings reflect little more than who’s been healthiest and received the best goaltending—a trend that likely continues until the playoffs, when talent and structure truly reveal themselves. For continued tracking of these evolving storylines, our season-long analysis portal will monitor which early trends prove sustainable and which fade as the grind of an 82-game season takes its toll.