NHL Power Rankings: ESPN's Latest 1-32 Poll Eyes Final Stretch

With fewer than 14 days remaining in the 2025-26 NHL regular season, every game carries massive weight. ESPN’s panel of hockey experts has updated their power rankings through Thursday’s action, spotlighting the top teams, bubble battles, and draft lottery hopefuls. [1] Colorado Avalanche hold steady at No. 1, while tight playoff races in both conferences make seeding unpredictable. For a full breakdown, check the original ESPN rankings.

The rankings also highlight each team’s most crucial remaining matchup, many of which could swing divisions or wild cards. Points percentages reflect the grind ahead, with only 10 or fewer games left for every club. As playoff clinchings loom, these polls offer a snapshot of momentum. [2]

Top contenders holding firm

Colorado Avalanche top the poll at 73.0% points percentage, unchanged from last week. Their April 4 clash at Dallas stands out as pivotal, potentially locking in the West’s No. 1 seed against the Stars.[1] Next seven days: @ DAL (April 4), vs. STL (April 5), @ STL (April 7), vs. CGY (April 9).

Carolina Hurricanes jumped to No. 2 (68.0%) from fourth, eyeing a rematch with Boston on April 7. That 2022 seven-game epic adds intrigue to their first-round possibilities. Their schedule includes vs. NYI (April 4), @ OTT (April 5), vs. BOS (April 7), @ CHI (April 9).

Buffalo Sabres sit third at 65.8%, fresh off an 8-7 thriller over Tampa on March 8 that vaulted them atop the Atlantic. Their April 6 rematch with the Lightning could seal the division. Upcoming: @ WSH (April 4), vs. TB (April 6), @ NYR (April 8), vs. CBJ (April 9).

Dallas Stars slipped to fourth (67.1%) but remain close behind Colorado. April 9 versus Minnesota looms large for home ice in a probable first-rounder. They host COL (April 4), face CGY (April 7), then MIN (April 9).

Tampa Bay Lightning hold fifth (66.7%), with April 9 at Montreal as a potential first-round preview. Rematch of the 2021 Cup Final? Their week: vs. BOS (April 4), @ BUF (April 6), @ OTT (April 7), @ MTL (April 9).

Playoff locks and bubble fighters

Montreal Canadiens climbed to sixth (65.3%), wrapping Atlantic games before Metro foes. April 11 versus Columbus could solidify their East spot. Schedule: @ NJ (April 4), vs. NJ (April 5), vs. FLA (April 7), vs. TB (April 9).

Minnesota Wild dropped to seventh (64.0%), facing Dallas on April 9 in a series preview. Past playoff losses to Stars fuel motivation. Next: @ OTT (April 4), @ DET (April 5), vs. SEA (April 7), @ DAL (April 9).

Pittsburgh Penguins surged to eighth (60.5%) from 10th. April 11-12 versus Washington might be Sidney Crosby’s last vs. Alex Ovechkin. Games: vs. FLA (April 4-5), @ NJ (April 9).

Boston Bruins up to ninth (61.8%), with April 11 hosting Tampa critical for seeding. Tight East standings amplify stakes. Week: @ TB (April 4), @ PHI (April 5), @ CAR (April 7).

Columbus Blue Jackets fell to 10th (57.9%). April 7 at Detroit pits them against wild-card chasers. Upcoming: vs. WPG (April 4), @ DET (April 7), @ BUF (April 9).

Ottawa Senators at 11th (58.7%) need every point; April 11 at Islanders is key. Schedule: vs. MIN (April 4), vs. CAR (April 5), vs. TB (April 7), vs. FLA (April 9).

Anaheim Ducks hold 12th (58.0%), leading Pacific. April 9 vs. Sharks clinches in style. Games: vs. STL (April 3), vs. CGY (April 4), vs. NSH (April 7), vs. SJ (April 9).

New York Islanders 13th (58.6%), finale April 14 vs. Carolina tests late rally. Week: vs. PHI (April 3), @ CAR (April 4), vs. TOR (April 9).

Wild-card warriors and spoilers

Edmonton Oilers rose to 14th (57.2%), with April 13 vs. Avalanche as a Cup Final barometer. Schedule: vs. VGK (April 4), @ UTA (April 7), @ SJ (April 8).

Detroit Red Wings steady at 15th (58.7%), but March woes threaten playoffs. All games matter now. Next: @ NYR (April 4), vs. MIN (April 5), vs. CBJ (April 7), vs. PHI (April 9).

Philadelphia Flyers up to 16th (57.3%). April 3 at Islanders swings four points in wild card. Games: @ NYI (April 3), vs. BOS (April 5), @ NJ (April 7), @ DET (April 9).

Washington Capitals 17th (55.9%), April 14 at Columbus possibly Ovechkin’s finale. Week: vs. BUF (April 4), @ NYR (April 5), @ TOR (April 8).

Utah Mammoth dropped to 18th (56.0%). April 7 vs. Oilers previews potential second round. Upcoming: @ VAN (April 4), vs. EDM (April 7), vs. NSH (April 9).

Vegas Golden Knights 19th (55.3%), April 11 at Colorado eyes deep run. Schedule: @ EDM (April 4), @ VAN (April 7), @ SEA (April 9).

New Jersey Devils 20th (53.3%), spoilers vs. Flyers April 7. Games: vs. MTL (April 4), @ MTL (April 5), vs. PHI (April 7), vs. PIT (April 9).

Lottery hopefuls and rebuilds

Los Angeles Kings 21st (52.7%), April 6 vs. Preds for final spot. Week: vs. TOR (April 4), vs. NSH (April 6), vs. VAN (April 9).

Nashville Predators 22nd (52.7%), April 13 vs. Sharks late decider. Games: @ SJ (April 4), @ LA (April 6), @ ANA (April 7), @ UTA (April 9).

San Jose Sharks jumped to 23rd (53.4%). April 15 at Blackhawks tests playoff push. Schedule: vs. NSH (April 4), vs. CHI (April 6), vs. EDM (April 8), @ ANA (April 9).

Winnipeg Jets 24th (50.7%), April 16 vs. Sharks do-or-die. Next: @ CBJ (April 4), vs. SEA (April 6), @ STL (April 9). Earlier ESPN power rankings breakdowns showed their early promise fading.

Florida Panthers 25th (51.3%), April 11 at Leafs shifts to draft odds. Games: @ PIT (April 4-5), @ MTL (April 7), @ OTT (April 9).

Toronto Maple Leafs 26th (50.7%), April 15 at Sens impacts Ontario foes. Week: @ LA (April 4), vs. WSH (April 8), @ NYI (April 9).

Seattle Kraken 27th (50.7%), April 13 vs. Kings for wild card. Schedule: vs. CHI (April 4), @ WPG (April 6), @ MIN (April 7), @ MIN (April 9).

St. Louis Blues 28th (50.0%), April 11 at Blackhawks lottery mover. Games: @ ANA (April 3), @ COL (April 5), vs. COL (April 7), vs. WPG (April 9).

New York Rangers 29th (46.7%), eliminated but spoiling vs. DET/WSH April 4-5. Igor Shesterkin fought recently. Week: vs. DET (April 4), vs. WSH (April 5), vs. BUF (April 8).

Calgary Flames 30th (46.7%), April 14 vs. Avalanche welcomes back Nazem Kadri. Games: @ ANA (April 4), @ DAL (April 7), @ COL (April 9).

Chicago Blackhawks 31st (44.7%), April 13 vs. Sabres inspirational. Schedule: @ SEA (April 4), @ SJ (April 6), vs. CAR (April 9).

Vancouver Canucks last at 32nd (34.7%), April 16 at Oilers eyes lottery for Gavin McKenna. Games: vs. UTA (April 4), vs. VGK (April 7), @ LA (April 9).

For deeper dives into prior polls, see this ESPN top 32 analysis.

As the regular season winds down, these rankings underscore the chaos ahead. Playoff spots hinge on head-to-heads like Avs-Stars and Sabres-Lightning, while bottom teams jockey for lottery odds. Fans should tune into these must-watch games—what they mean for the bracket could define the 2026 postseason. Keep an eye on Buffalo’s Atlantic push and Anaheim’s Pacific crown for early clues.