NHL power rankings 2025-26 quarter-season MVPs for each team

The NHL season has reached its quarter mark, and the standings have never been tighter. With the Colorado Avalanche holding a narrow lead over a tightly packed field, we’re witnessing unprecedented parity across both conferences. Teams are separated by razor-thin margins, and every game carries playoff implications. As we evaluate the first 20-22 games of the 2025-26 campaign, identifying each team’s most valuable player reveals fascinating stories of superstar dominance, unexpected breakouts, and rookies making immediate impacts.

The compressed schedule ahead of the Milan-Cortina Olympics has created a relentless pace, with teams playing every other day or on back-to-back nights. This grind has tested depth and resilience, making those standout performers even more crucial to their teams’ success. From established legends like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon to emerging talents like Seth Jarvis and Leo Carlsson, this quarter-season review highlights who’s driving their teams forward.

Colorado leads the pack with MacKinnon’s historic start

The Colorado Avalanche sit atop the NHL with an 82.5% points percentage, and their quarter-season MVP conversation could have gone multiple ways. Cale Makar continues to redefine what’s possible from the blueline, but Nathan MacKinnon’s offensive explosion has been simply too dominant to ignore. Leading the entire league with 36 points and 16 goals through the first quarter, MacKinnon is playing at a pace that would challenge single-season scoring records if maintained.

The Avalanche’s depth extends beyond their superstar center. Makar’s ability to control play from the back end creates the perfect environment for MacKinnon to thrive, while Mikko Rantanen provides a consistent scoring threat on the wing. This three-headed monster has Colorado positioned as the clear Stanley Cup favorite early on.

What’s particularly impressive about Colorado’s start is their ability to win in multiple ways. They’ve secured victories in high-scoring affairs while also grinding out low-scoring games when needed. This versatility, combined with their elite special teams, makes them the complete package that other teams are chasing.

Carolina’s rising star and the Metropolitan battle

The Carolina Hurricanes have climbed to second in ESPN’s power rankings, and their quarter-season MVP is a testament to their development pipeline. Seth Jarvis has emerged as a legitimate top-line force, playing in all situations and maintaining nearly a point-per-game pace. His evolution from complementary piece to driving force mirrors Carolina’s own transformation from perennial contender to legitimate championship threat.

The Metropolitan Division race exemplifies the league-wide parity. Four points separate fourth place from 15th, and no team can afford an extended slump. The New Jersey Devils, despite losing Jack Hughes to a freak injury at a Chicago steakhouse, have remained competitive thanks to Jesper Bratt’s continued excellence. Bratt’s ability to drive offense without his usual linemate showcases his value to a team with serious Cup aspirations.

In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby is defying Father Time once again. With trade rumors swirling before the season, the Penguins captain has instead led his team to near the top of the Metro Division. His six power-play goals anchor the league’s best man-advantage unit, proving that even at this stage of his career, he remains among the game’s elite.

Surprising contenders in the Western Conference

The Western Conference has produced some of the season’s biggest surprises, with teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks positioning themselves as playoff contenders. Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson has silenced critics who questioned the Ducks passing on Adam Fantilli, leading a dynamic young core that’s competing atop the Pacific Division. His 20-year-old poise and two-way play suggest a future franchise cornerstone.

Chicago’s resurgence centers on Connor Bedard, who has taken another step forward in his third NHL season. With 29 points in 19 games, Bedard is on pace for 118 points, but his impact extends beyond statistics. He’s transformed the Blackhawks into a relevant team again, with playoff positioning suddenly within reach. Bedard’s maturity and playmaking ability have accelerated Chicago’s rebuild timeline dramatically.

The Seattle Kraken’s success has been a complete team effort, with no player reaching double-digit goals through 19 games. However, veteran Jaden Schwartz deserves recognition for his leadership and consistent two-way play. His plus-8 rating and shared team scoring lead demonstrates the value of veteran presence on a young roster navigating its first playoff push.

Goaltending excellence defines tight races

In a season where standings are historically close, goaltending has proven more valuable than ever. The New York Rangers sit at .500 despite elite goaltending from Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick. The duo’s combined efforts—Quick’s ridiculous .951 save percentage and Shesterkin’s 2.43 goals-against average—have kept the Rangers afloat while their offense figures itself out. Without this goaltending tandem, New York would likely be bottom-five in the league.

Washington’s Logan Thompson has been even better statistically, posting a league-leading 1.85 GAA and .920 save percentage. While the Capitals aren’t winning at the same clip as last season’s Presidents’ Trophy campaign, Thompson’s performance gives them a chance every night. His ability to steal points in tight games could be crucial in a Eastern Conference where nine points separate all 16 teams.

Rookie goaltenders have also made significant impacts. Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt has gone 5-0-2 with a 2.10 GAA and league-leading .926 save percentage, providing stability for a Wild team trying to stay competitive. Meanwhile, Columbus’ Jet Greaves appears to be winning the crease battle over Elvis Merzlikins, signaling a potential changing of the guard.

Injury impacts and roster challenges

The compressed schedule has contributed to a significant increase in injuries across the league. The New York Times reports that man-games lost are “wayyyyy up” compared to previous seasons, with 90 games already reaching overtime—the most at this stage in NHL history. This injury crisis has forced teams to rely on their depth and made healthy MVPs even more valuable.

Montreal’s Jakub Dobes has emerged as a Calder Trophy candidate while anchoring the Canadiens’ crease, but the team has been ravaged by injuries to key skaters. Their quarter-season performance tells a tale of two completely different squads: a Cup contender when healthy and a bottom-feeder when missing key pieces.

In Toronto, the injury bug has been particularly cruel. Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev have missed significant time, while the crease has seen four different goaltenders. William Nylander’s reliability—27 points in 17 games—has been the only constant for a team struggling to meet expectations. His performance might be the only thing preventing a complete disaster in Toronto.

Rising stars and breakout performers

Several young players have announced themselves as stars this quarter-season. Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson leads the discussion, but he’s not alone. Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 No. 1 pick, already leads the Islanders in ice time per game and earned a spot on Canada’s Olympic candidate list. His immediate impact has transformed the Islanders’ outlook.

Macklin Celebrini is on pace to break San Jose’s franchise scoring records in just his second season. The 2024 first-overall pick has exceeded even the highest expectations, giving Sharks fans legitimate hope for the future. His chemistry with whatever linemates he’s paired with demonstrates a rare hockey IQ for such a young player.

On the veteran side, Mark Scheifele is chasing his first 50-goal and 100-point seasons. The Jets’ top-line center has been a consistent producer for years but is currently on pace for 50 tallies and 109 points—career benchmarks that would cement his status among the league’s elite. His performance has Winnipeg defying expectations in the Central Division.

Pacific Division’s competitive balance

The Pacific Division showcases the league’s parity perhaps better than any other division. Anaheim leads with 64.3% points percentage, but just three points separate them from the fifth-place team. This cluster has made every divisional game critical, with no team able to gain separation.

The Vegas Golden Knights sit seventh in the power rankings despite Jack Eichel falling off his early-season points lead. Eichel’s 24 points through 19 games still represent a pace that would challenge for the Hart Trophy, and the Knights’ depth allows them to weather any individual player’s cold streak.

Los Angeles is led by Adrian Kempe, fresh off a contract extension, who has rewarded the Kings’ faith with 19 points in 20 games. The Kings remain in the playoff hunt despite dealing with injuries and inconsistent goaltending, making Kempe’s offensive production essential.

Atlantic Division’s tight race and Florida’s struggle

The Atlantic Division features a seven-point spread from top to bottom, with Detroit’s dramatic swings exemplifying the volatility. The Red Wings went from outside the playoffs to first place in the Atlantic within four days, only to cling to a one-point lead over Boston entering Thursday’s action.

Florida’s attempt at a three-peat has hit significant obstacles. Without captain Aleksander Barkov (out until April) and Matthew Tkachuk (out until December), Brad Marchand has stepped up with 23 points in 18 games. Marchand’s pace for 99 points—one shy of his career high—has kept the Panthers competitive despite their injury woes.

Boston’s David Pastrnak continues to carry the offensive load with 27 points in 22 games. The Bruins’ success depends heavily on their top line’s production, and Pastrnak has delivered. His ability to score from anywhere on the ice makes him one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.

MVPs from struggling franchises

Even teams at the bottom of the standings have players worth celebrating. Calgary’s Nazem Kadri leads the Flames in scoring despite trade rumors swirling around him and teammates Rasmus Andersson and Blake Coleman. The veteran center’s professionalism through a difficult season deserves recognition.

Nashville’s Filip Forsberg represents the bridge between competitive eras. As the Predators evaluate their roster for future moves, Forsberg’s consistent scoring and veteran leadership make him the most likely piece to remain when Nashville returns to contention. His performance gives fans something to watch during a rebuilding year.

Edmonton’s Connor McDavid continues to produce despite the Oilers sitting at .500 and outside the playoff picture. His 32 points are six clear of Leon Draisaitl’s 26, highlighting both his individual brilliance and Edmonton’s struggles to find consistent secondary scoring. McDavid’s greatness has become so routine that it’s easy to overlook how he’s single-handedly keeping the Oilers relevant.

What the quarter-season MVPs tell us about the playoff race

The distribution of quarter-season MVPs reveals interesting patterns about the NHL’s competitive landscape. Teams with superstar-led MVPs (Colorado, Carolina, Edmonton) are relying on individual brilliance to separate from the pack. Those with depth-driven success (Seattle, New Jersey) have needed collective efforts to overcome injuries. Meanwhile, teams with rookie or breakout MVPs (Anaheim, Chicago, Minnesota) are ahead of schedule in their rebuilds.

The compressed schedule will only intensify as we approach the Olympic break in February. Teams that have relied heavily on their MVPs must be cautious about burnout. The Avalanche’s success with MacKinnon is sustainable only if secondary scoring emerges. Similarly, the Hurricanes need continued depth production to support Jarvis’s elevated role.

With four points separating 13 teams in the overall standings, the margin for error is virtually nonexistent. Every two points gained or lost could be the difference between home-ice advantage in the playoffs and missing them entirely. This pressure-cooker environment favors teams with established systems and veteran leadership—qualities that many of the surprising contenders may lack when push comes to shove.

As the season progresses toward its midpoint, expect some separation to occur naturally. The Avalanche’s elite talent should keep them atop the standings, while teams like Florida and Edmonton should climb as they get healthier. However, the unprecedented parity suggests that the playoff race will remain tight until the final weeks, making every quarter-season MVP’s continued performance crucial to their team’s fortunes. The teams that can maintain their early success while managing the Olympic-year schedule will be the ones celebrating this spring.