The NHL season marches toward the 2026 Olympic break in Milano Cortina, with trades heating up across the league. The New York Islanders bolstered their roster by acquiring defenseman Carson Soucy from the Rangers and forward Ondrej Palat from the Devils, signaling aggressive moves in the Metro Division. ESPN’s latest power rankings, compiled from a panel of experts through games on Wednesday, keep the Colorado Avalanche at the top with a 76% points percentage. Tampa Bay and Carolina round out a dominant top three, while risers like Buffalo and Pittsburgh shake up the mid-pack.
February looms large with pivotal matchups that could define playoff paths, especially post-Olympics. These rankings highlight not just current form but key games ahead, from Stadium Series spectacles to heated rivalries. As contenders solidify and pretenders falter, the race for Cup contention intensifies.
The elite: Teams 1 through 5 lead the charge
Colorado Avalanche remain unshaken at No. 1, their 76% points clip underscoring a playoff lock in the Central. A Feb. 26 clash with Minnesota serves as a measuring stick for both Central heavyweights. Expect high stakes as postseason projections sharpen.
Tampa Bay Lightning hold steady at No. 2 with 69.2%, gearing up for a Feb. 1 Stadium Series outdoor game against Boston. Pirates-themed uniforms add flair to this Florida spectacle, pitting two Atlantic powers. The Bolts’ consistency positions them for another deep run.
Carolina Hurricanes sit third at 67%, eyeing a potential Eastern Conference finals preview against Tampa on Feb. 26. Their upcoming slate includes Los Angeles and Ottawa, testing depth before the break. The Canes’ dominance atop the East feels inevitable.
Minnesota Wild climbed to No. 4 (65.5%), but Utah Mammoth’s rise looms large—a 6-2 loss in October stings. Feb. 27 at Utah could shift Central dynamics. Kirill Kaprizov and Co. must protect their top-three spot.
Dallas Stars slip to fifth (65.7%), yet boast elite goaltending with Jake Oettinger. A Feb. 2 home date versus Winnipeg pits franchise nets against Connor Hellebuyck. Stars’ balance keeps them Cup threats despite the minor drop.
Risers and contenders: Buffalo, Detroit, and Pittsburgh surge
Buffalo Sabres vault to No. 6 from ninth (63.2%), heating up in the Atlantic’s third spot. Dual visits to Florida Panthers in February test their mettle—wins here solidify wild-card hopes. Tage Thompson’s leadership fuels the fire.
Detroit Red Wings edge to No. 7 (63.6%), reviving Avalanche rivalry with back-to-back tilts, including Feb. 2 in Denver. Once the NHL’s most explosive feud, these games revive old passions. Red Wings’ playoff push gains steam.
Pittsburgh Penguins jump to No. 8 from 11th (62.5%), setting up a Feb. 3 rivalry renewal at Islanders. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin bring star power to potential first-round previews. Pens’ climb defies expectations.
Montreal Canadiens hold ninth (62%), locked in wild-card battles. Feb. 28 versus Washington could pivot East trajectories amid the logjam. Habs’ resilience shines through.
Vegas Golden Knights dip to 10th (60.4%), but Feb. 27 at Caps evokes 2018 Cup Final vibes. Pacific positioning remains strong despite the slide.
Key February showdowns that could reshape the playoffs
Rivalries ignite the calendar. Tampa-Boston Stadium Series on Feb. 1 blends spectacle with playoff implications. ESPN. Battle of Florida peaks Feb. 5 at Tampa, matching Panthers’ resurgence against Lightning might.
Central intrigue brews: Colorado-Minnesota Feb. 26, Dallas-Winnipeg Feb. 2 featuring goalie duel. Utah’s Feb. 25 home tilt versus Avs promises one-goal drama—prior meetings stayed tight.
East wild-card chaos unfolds in Montreal-Washington Feb. 28, Penguins-Isles Feb. 3. Florida-Buffalo doubleheader tests Sabres’ heater. These games carry outsized weight pre- and post-Olympics.
Battle of Alberta delivers Feb. 4 at Calgary-Edmonton, pumping life into dog days. San Jose-Chicago Feb. 2 spotlights young stars Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard.
NHL’s undercard heats up too: Vegas-Washington revenge angle, Rangers-Penguins star clash Feb. 28 despite NYR retool.
Struggling squads and rebuild watch: Bottom 10 fight for relevance
Utah Mammoth rise to 12th (55.6%), threatening Central with Feb. 27 home win potential over Wild. Their Oct. upset of Minnesota signals danger.
Florida Panthers climb to 15th (55.7%), but Battle of Florida looms large. Recent form suggests playoff contention.
Bottom feeders grapple: Vancouver Canucks anchor at 32nd (38%), bleeding talent like Quinn Hughes and injuries to Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser. Trades loom before March 6.
New York Rangers at 29th (45.5%) admit retool, trading Artemi Panarin amid tough year. Feb. 28 versus Penguins offers MSG magic with Crosby-Malkin.
St. Louis Blues (31st, 45.4%) eye deals like Jordan Kyrou to Devils, impacting Feb. 28 return game. Calgary Flames (30th) lean on Alberta rivalry for spark.
As Olympics approach, trade deadline buzz peaks Feb. 4 freeze. Contenders stock up, sellers like Winnipeg (27th) ponder moves amid rebuild whispers. ESPN’s complete breakdown, including prior polls like the celebrity fan edition here.
These rankings capture a league in flux, with elite teams pulling away and bubble battles raging. February’s marquee games will clarify paths to playoffs and Cup glory. Keep eyes on Central and Florida fireworks—they could define the 2025-26 postseason picture.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.