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

The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its quarter mark faster than anyone anticipated, compressed by the looming Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina this February. With teams playing every other day and back-to-back sets becoming the norm, the league has witnessed perhaps the tightest cluster of standings in modern hockey history. Colorado leads the entire NHL by a mere three points, while the next 13 teams sit within four points of each other. Nine points separate all 16 Eastern Conference teams—a historical first that has players and coaches describing the opening stretch as feeling “almost like playoffs,” according to veteran forward Chandler Stephenson.

This unprecedented parity has made grading each team’s performance both fascinating and frustrating. Seventeen teams have legitimate claims to playoff positioning, while perennial powers find themselves scrambling. Some dramatic turnarounds have defined the early storylines, with six teams that missed the postseason last year currently occupying playoff spots. Meanwhile, the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers sit outside the Eastern Conference picture, and the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers hover near the wild-card fringe. Let’s examine how each franchise measures up through the first 20+ games.

Elite tier: A+ and A performances

Colorado Avalanche: A+

Colorado hasn’t just been dominant—they’ve threatened historical benchmarks. Leading the NHL in goals per game while surrendering the fewest defensively, the Avalanche project to finish with 137.9 points, potentially breaking Boston’s single-season record of 135 set in 2022-23. Nathan MacKinnon has positioned himself for a second Hart Trophy with 22 goals and 46 points in 21 games, while Cale Makar could challenge for both his third Norris Trophy and potentially the Hart itself.

The supporting cast has finally caught up to the superstars. The only blemish on an otherwise perfect report card is a power play converting at just 15.7%, ranking in the bottom ten. But when you’re controlling 5-on-5 play at a 58% expected goals rate, special teams struggles become a minor footnote rather than a fatal flaw. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has posted a .925 save percentage despite facing the sixth-fewest shots per game, a testament to Colorado’s complete team defense.

Anaheim Ducks: A

Few analysts predicted the Ducks would be fighting for Pacific Division supremacy in November. Yet here they stand with a 108.1-points pace that far exceeds their 83.5 preseason over/under line. Leo Carlsson’s development has been nothing short of spectacular—the second-year center projects to finish with 108 points, threatening Teemu Selanne’s franchise record of 109 set in 1998-99.

Chris Kreider’s veteran presence provided immediate dividends with 14 points in his first 15 games, while the Ducks rank second in goals per game at 3.78. The concern lies in an overreliance on goaltender Lukas Dostal, who started 17 of the first 22 games. While Dostal’s 5.42 goals saved above expected ranks sixth among netminders with 10+ games, his projected 63-game workload enters the territory usually reserved for Vezina contenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Dallas Stars: A

Glen Gulutzan’s second tenure behind the Dallas bench has the Stars exceeding expectations despite offseason losses of Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, and Mason Marchment. The Stars rank 10th in goals per game while maintaining remarkable efficiency, bolstered by the NHL’s second-ranked power play operating at 29.8%.

The defensive structure shows a puzzling disconnect—Dallas ranks among the top ten in fewest goals allowed and high-danger chances surrendered at 5-on-5, yet their penalty kill operates at just 75.7%, ranking in the bottom ten. This Jekyll-and-Hyde special teams performance hasn’t derailed them yet, but it bears monitoring as the season progresses and every point becomes precious ahead of the Olympic break.

Other A-grade standouts

The Detroit Red Wings earned an A with their best start in a decade, paced by Dylan Larkin’s leadership (25 points in 21 games) and rookies Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson providing unexpected depth. Coach Todd McLellan’s defensive system has Detroit among teams allowing the fewest shots per game. The New York Islanders shocked many with a 99.8-points pace behind Calder favorite Matthew Schaefer and Maxim Shabanov’s emergence as a legitimate top-pairing defenseman. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins—perhaps the season’s biggest surprise—boast the league’s best power play and second-fewest goals allowed under first-year coach Dan Muse, sitting at a 97.6-points pace despite preseason predictions of a lottery finish.

Strong contenders: B+ and B range

Seattle Kraken: B+

The Kraken exemplify this season’s razor-thin margins. Despite ranking last in scoring chances, shots, and high-danger chances generated per 60 minutes, Seattle entered Monday just one point behind Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead. Their goaltending trio of Joey Daccord, Philipp Grubauer, and Matt Murray leads the NHL in team save percentage at 5-on-5 at .935, providing the narrowest of margins in a 2.55 goals-per-game offense.

“Because that’s what the landscape has looked like in the Western Conference,” explained analysts, noting how Seattle’s defensive identity under Lane Lambert has them allowing just 2.59 goals per game. The question is whether elite goaltending alone can sustain playoff positioning when you’re generating the fewest offensive opportunities in the league. Their 13-7-2 record feels precarious despite the solid grade.

Chicago Blackhawks: B+

Connor Bedard’s sophomore season has answered every question about his ability to carry a franchise. Projected for 116 points, Bedard is on pace for the highest-scoring Blackhawks season not named Denis Savard. Frank Nazar’s emergence provides secondary scoring that “actually scares people,” according to opposing coaches, while Spencer Knight’s .911 team save percentage represents a dramatic improvement from last season’s .894 mark.

The youth movement shows defensively, however, with Chicago ranking bottom four in scoring chances, high-danger chances, and shots allowed per 60. Their top-four defensemen all average under 24 years old, including two rookies—a long-term strength that currently creates short-term vulnerabilities. The 12-9-1 record and 93.6-points pace exceeds expectations, but defensive growing pains keep them from elite status.

Mid-tier consistency

Teams like Boston (B+), Montreal (B+), Philadelphia (B+), San Jose (B+), Carolina (A-), and New Jersey (A-) round out the upper-middle class. The Bruins sit at an 88.8-points pace despite Elias Lindholm’s injury absence, with Jeremy Swayman posting Vezina-caliber numbers. The Canadiens’ Jakub Dobes has emerged as a potential franchise goaltender with a .930 save percentage and 1.97 GAA, though offensive inconsistency keeps Montreal from higher grades.

Carolina continues their smothering defensive structure despite Frederik Andersen’s struggles, and the Devils navigate life without Jack Hughes after his freak restaurant accident by leaning on Nico Hischier’s two-way excellence. For deeper breakdowns of every team’s underlying metrics, our complete first-quarter assessment of all 32 NHL teams provides detailed analytics that explain these surprising starts.

The challenging middle: C+ to C- range

Toronto Maple Leafs: C-

The post-Mitch Marner era has been bumpier than expected in Toronto. Despite John Tavares’ renaissance (12 goals in 21 games) and William Nylander’s 27 points in 19 games, the Leafs rank third-worst in goals against per game at 3.81. Injuries to Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, and Brandon Carlo have left coach Craig Berube patching lineups lacking chemistry or confidence.

A recent 1-5-2 stretch dropped Toronto to the bottom third of the Eastern Conference standings. The defense-first identity that carried them to the conference finals last season has evaporated, leaving a team “without a clear identity,” according to TSN analyst Ray Ferraro. The 9-11-1 record reflects a squad still searching for its structure, though the underlying talent suggests improvement is inevitable once healthy.

Edmonton Oilers: C-

For the two-time defending Western Conference champions, a 13th appearance allowing four or more goals raises familiar questions about goaltending and defensive commitment. Despite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl averaging over a point per game, the Oilers rank last in team save percentage at .879 and have surrendered the most goals in the NHL at 4.12 per game.

Their 85.4-points pace has them just outside the wild-card picture, but more concerning is the defensive structure that has repeatedly failed them in recent postseasons. Stuart Skinner’s .895 save percentage represents a massive regression from his .914 mark last season. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has already held multiple closed-door meetings, suggesting the frustration level has reached a boiling point just six weeks into the campaign.

Buffalo Sabres: C

The Sabres show glimmers of hope with a league-best 89.8% penalty kill and emerging talent like Colten Ellis (.914 save percentage) and Josh Doan (12 points in 20 games). However, they rank 30th in goals per game at 2.45 and remain leaky defensively, surrendering 3.67 goals per game. Coach Lindy Ruff’s messaging may be falling on deaf ears as Buffalo stares down another potential playoff drought extension.

Struggling rearguard: D+ to F grades

Calgary Flames: D

The Flames’ defensive structure ranks top four in fewest scoring chances and high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes, yet they sit near the NHL’s basement with a 64.9-points pace. Offensive ineptitude defines their season—averaging 2.38 goals per game, a figure that would rank among the bottom 200 teams in NHL history for single-season scoring.

A recent three-game winning streak offered false hope, but this is a team built to lose through a methodical rebuild. The disconnect between their defensive discipline (2nd in fewest penalties taken) and inability to score makes them painful to watch. Only a 6-14-2 record prevents a failing grade, as the structural elements suggest better days ahead when their prospect pipeline matures.

Vancouver Canucks: D

Injuries have decimated Vancouver, requiring 29 skaters and three goaltenders through just 23 games. The Canucks are either worst or second-worst in allowing shots, scoring chances, and high-danger chances per 60 minutes. Their early 4-2 start feels like a distant memory as they stumble toward a 71.3-points pace.

Thatcher Demko’s persistent knee issues have forced Arturs Silovs and Jiri Patera into action, with predictably poor results. The defense corps has used eight different top-four combinations, creating chaos. While the 7-13-3 record reflects genuine struggles, the injury excuse prevents a complete failure. Still, GM Patrik Allvin faces difficult questions about roster depth and medical staff decisions.

St. Louis Blues: D-

Despite adding Pius Suter to a playoff roster, the Blues own the third-fewest points in the NHL. Their defensive structure ranks top 10 in limiting chances, but goaltending has sabotaged them with the fourth-lowest team save percentage at .887. Robert Thomas’ struggles—just 8 points in 22 games—encapsulate a team that looks “like a zombie missing a limb,” as one scout colorfully described.

Jordan Binnington’s .884 save percentage represents a career-worst, while Joel Hofer hasn’t been much better at .892. The 6-15-1 record has already put coach Drew Bannister on the hot seat, with whispers that Hall of Fame candidate Joel Quenneville could be lured out of retirement. For more detailed analysis of coaching pressures around the league, our NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report cards includes front office insights.

Nashville Predators: F

The Predators own the NHL’s lowest goals-per-game average at 2.29, potentially ranking among the bottom 125 offensive seasons in league history. They’ve surrendered the sixth-most goals per game at 3.94, while Steven Stamkos—owner of 580+ career goals—is on pace for fewer than 20 in a non-injury season for the first time in his career.

The 5-16-2 record reflects a complete organizational failure. Only their above-average penalty kill at 82.1% prevents complete catastrophe. GM Barry Trotz faces a monumental rebuild decision: trade Stamkos, Forsberg, and Josi for prospects, or try to retool around a declining core. The answer seems obvious, but sentimentality and no-trade clauses complicate matters.

What it all means for the playoff race

The compressed schedule ahead of the Olympics means this historic parity might persist through January. With teams playing every other day or on back-to-backs, practice time is virtually nonexistent. This has kept teams focused but emotionally taxed, as Seattle’s Chandler Stephenson noted: “It almost feels like playoffs because there’s no time to breathe between games.”

The standings’ tightness creates fascinating implications for the trade deadline and playoff seeding. Six teams that missed the playoffs last season currently hold spots, including Boston, Islanders, Detroit, and Pittsburgh in the East, plus Chicago and Anaheim in the West. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers—despite their championship pedigree—struggle with injuries and inconsistency.

Goaltending performances have swung division races dramatically. Teams with elite netminding (Seattle, Detroit, Montreal) overachieve, while those with goaltending disasters (Edmonton, St. Louis, Vancouver) underperform despite strong underlying metrics. As the season progresses toward the Olympic break, expect more separation—but don’t be surprised if the margins remain historically thin. The quarter mark has revealed which teams can sustain early success, which are built for long-term contention, and which face difficult rebuild decisions.

Colorado’s dominance appears sustainable given their complete roster and championship experience. Anaheim’s magic might fade if Dostal’s workload becomes untenable. The Maple Leafs and Oilers almost certainly improve once healthy, making their slow starts less concerning than Nashville’s or Calgary’s systemic failures. With 60 games remaining and Olympic participation creating additional fatigue for top players, depth and injury management will determine which teams separate from this historically crowded field. The 2025-26 season is setting up as one of the most unpredictable and competitive campaigns in recent memory.

The Predators own the league’s lowest scoring average (2.29 goals per game) and rank bottom-seven in power-play efficiency. Without Roman Josi for most of the season and Steven Stamkos on pace for fewer than 20 goals for the first healthy season of his career, Nashville appears headed for a fire sale. The penalty kill provides the lone bright spot, but it’s akin to praising a sinking ship’s lifeboat.

Complete first-quarter team grades

A+ Tier (Dominant):

• Colorado Avalanche
• Anaheim Ducks
• San Jose Sharks

A Tier (Excellent):

• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Dallas Stars
• New York Islanders

B+ Tier (Above Expectations):

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Boston Bruins
• Philadelphia Flyers
• Seattle Kraken
• Ottawa Senators

B Tier (Solid):

• New Jersey Devils
• Montreal Canadiens
• Los Angeles Kings
• Minnesota Wild
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Utah Mammoth (newly relocated from Arizona)

B- to C+ Tier (Inconsistent):

• Detroit Red Wings
• Washington Capitals
• Winnipeg Jets
• Florida Panthers

C to D+ Tier (Disappointing):

• Buffalo Sabres
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• New York Rangers
• Edmonton Oilers
• Calgary Flames

D to F Tier (Crisis Mode):

• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Vegas Golden Knights
• Vancouver Canucks
• St. Louis Blues
• Nashville Predators

Standings implications and playoff picture

The compressed schedule, designed to accommodate Olympic participation from February 11-22, 2026, has created unprecedented parity. Entering this week, 90 games had reached overtime—the most at this stage in NHL history. The Avalanche’s four-point Western Conference lead seems massive in context, as nine points separate all 16 Eastern Conference teams.

Six 2024 playoff misses currently hold playoff positions: Boston, Islanders, Detroit, and Pittsburgh in the East; Chicago and Anaheim in the West. Conversely, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, each representing their conference in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, sit outside the postseason picture due to catastrophic injury situations.

As Seattle’s Chandler Stephenson noted, “It almost feels like playoffs.” With teams playing every other day or on back-to-backs, practice time evaporates and every point becomes precious. The Red Wings’ experience exemplifies this volatility—falling out of playoffs Saturday, reaching first place in the Atlantic by Monday, yet maintaining only a three-point cushion from the playoff cut line.

For deeper analysis on individual team trajectories and emerging trends, explore more detailed breakdowns in our complete NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report cards analysis. Additionally, our comprehensive NHL 2025-26 first-quarter report cards for all 32 teams provides extended commentary on each franchise’s performance metrics and outlook.

Looking ahead: What these grades mean

The quarter mark offers snapshots, not destinies. Colorado’s dominance appears sustainable given their elite underlying metrics and star power. Anaheim and San Jose must prove their hot starts aren’t mirages, particularly as regression threatens teams outperforming their expected goal shares. The Eastern Conference’s jumbled standings guarantee roster moves—general managers face pressure to distinguish legitimate contenders from pretenders before trade deadline decisions crystallize.

Injury situations will clarify. Florida awaits Matthew Tkachuk’s return; Nashville evaluates whether to retain Roman Josi through a rebuild; Toronto’s medical room must empty before assessments become definitive. Goaltending variance explains much early-season chaos—teams like Calgary and St. Louis dominate defensively yet suffer from poor save percentages, while Anaheim and San Jose receive unexpected elite netminding.

The Olympic break looms large. Players like MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, and Celebrini chase Olympic roster spots while managing compressed NHL workloads. Teams must balance pushing for playoff positioning against resting stars for international duty. As the schedule intensifies, these first-quarter grades provide foundation—but the real tests await in the marathon ahead.