NHL Power Rankings: Playoff Points Leaders for Every Team

With the 2025-26 NHL regular season entering its final weeks, teams are jockeying for playoff positioning while stars eye postseason glory. A panel of ESPN hockey experts has ranked all 32 teams from 1 to 32 based on games through Wednesday, highlighting not just current form but also each franchise’s all-time playoff points leader. These records offer a fascinating look at legacies, from untouchable greats to marks ripe for the taking by today’s top talents.

Fans love debating these postseason stats, even if players focus on team success. Surprises abound—some icons dominate, while newer franchises have low bars or ties. As playoff races tighten, these leaders remind us of hockey’s rich history.

Top of the standings: avalanche to senators

The Colorado Avalanche hold the No. 1 spot with a 74.6% points percentage, unchanged from last week. Joe Sakic’s 188 playoff points stand tall, though Nathan MacKinnon has 122 and could close the gap with a deep run. The Avalanche face Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver next.

Dallas Stars sit second at 67.4%, led by Mike Modano’s 145 points. His statue outside American Airlines Center honors his Stars legacy, despite a brief Red Wings stint. They travel to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Boston before hosting Winnipeg.

Buffalo Sabres rank third (66.7%), with Gilbert Perreault’s 103 points as the benchmark. Tage Thompson might challenge it soon. Buffalo hosts Detroit today, then Seattle and the Islanders, before Ottawa.

Carolina Hurricanes (67.6%, fourth) boast Sebastian Aho’s 85 points, set to grow this spring. Rod Brind’Amour’s Cup-lifting pose is iconic, but Aho leads. They host New Jersey and Montreal, then Columbus twice.

Tampa Bay Lightning climb to fifth (66.2%), Nikita Kucherov topping with 171 points amid his points race dominance—75 in 33 games, echoing Mario Lemieux. They host Ottawa, Nashville, Montreal and Pittsburgh.

Minnesota Wild drop to sixth (64.4%), Zach Parise’s 37 points vulnerable to Kirill Kaprizov or traded Quinn Hughes. Short schedule: at Boston, home vs. Vancouver.

Montreal Canadiens rise to seventh (63.4%), Jean Beliveau’s 176 points a classy benchmark. They visit Nashville and Carolina, Tampa and the Rangers.

Columbus Blue Jackets jump to eighth (60.4%), Cam Atkinson’s 26 in 35 games the mark for their young core to chase. They host San Jose and Boston, Carolina twice.

These top teams blend current strength with storied playoff pasts, setting the tone for late-season pushes.

Mid-pack battles: penguins to flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins fall to 10th (61.1%), Sidney Crosby’s 201 points edging Mario Lemieux’s 172. They host Dallas, visit the Islanders, host Detroit and Tampa.

Boston Bruins at 11th (61.1%), Ray Bourque’s 161 points iconic despite his Avalanche Cup. He returned the trophy to Boston. They host Minnesota, visit Columbus, Dallas and Florida.

Anaheim Ducks 12th (59.7%), Ryan Getzlaf’s 120 points from their Cup captain. At Edmonton, host Toronto, at San Jose.

New York Islanders drop to 13th (59.6%), Bryan Trottier’s 168 points eyed by young Matthew Schaefer. Host Florida and Pittsburgh, at Buffalo.

Utah Mammoth 14th (54.8%), no leader yet as a new team—first playoff point claims it. Lineage to Hawerchuk’s 49. At Los Angeles, at Seattle.

Detroit Red Wings slip to 15th (59.2%), Steve Yzerman’s 185 over Gordie Howe’s 158. At Buffalo today, host Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Edmonton Oilers steady at 16th (55.5%), Wayne Gretzky’s 252 league-high. Host Anaheim, Seattle and Chicago.

Philadelphia Flyers 18th (57.7%), Bobby Clarke’s 119 points from the gap-toothed Cup photo. At Detroit, vs. Dallas, at Washington, vs. Detroit.

Nashville Predators surge to 20th (53.5%), Filip Forsberg’s 59 points as wild-card hopefuls. Host Montreal, at Tampa and Los Angeles.

These squads mix veterans chasing history with youth ready to make it, fueling tight races.

Lower ranks and records to chase: capitals to canucks

Washington Capitals 19th (55.5%), Alex Ovechkin’s 147 points in question—playoffs this year or return? At Vegas, host Philadelphia, at New Jersey.

New Jersey Devils 21st (53.5%), Patrik Elias’s 125 from the 2000 Cup pass. At Carolina, host Chicago, at Rangers, host Washington.

Los Angeles Kings 22nd (52.8%), Gretzky’s 94 in five seasons. Vs. Utah, vs. St. Louis, vs. NSH.

Florida Panthers 23rd (51.4%), Aleksander Barkov’s 81 amid their rare playoff miss post-Cups. At Islanders and Rangers, host Ottawa and Boston.

Seattle Kraken drop to 24th (52.1%), Yanni Gourde’s 13 now with Tampa. At Buffalo, at Edmonton, vs. Utah.

Winnipeg Jets 25th (50.0%), tie Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele at 49. At Colorado, at Chicago, at Dallas.

San Jose Sharks 26th (50.7%), Patrick Marleau’s 120. At Columbus, vs. St. Louis, vs. Anaheim, vs. Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs 27th (51.4%), Doug Gilmour’s surprising 77 over Sundin or Keon. At St. Louis, at Anaheim, at San Jose.

St. Louis Blues 28th (50.0%), Brett Hull’s 117. Host Toronto, at San Jose, at Los Angeles.

Calgary Flames rise to 29th (47.2%), Al MacInnis’s 102 slapshot power. Vs. Vancouver, at Colorado, at Vegas.

Chicago Blackhawks 30th (46.5%), Stan Mikita’s 150 from decades ago over Kane’s 132. At Rangers today, at New Jersey, vs. Winnipeg, at Edmonton.

New York Rangers 31st (45.1%), Brian Leetch’s 89. Vs. Chicago today, vs. Florida, vs. New Jersey, vs. Montreal.

Vancouver Canucks last at 32nd (35.2%), Trevor Linden’s 95. At Calgary, at Vegas, at Colorado, at Minnesota.

Many lower teams have attainable records, perfect for emerging stars.

Legacies and the playoff push ahead

These playoff points leaders span eras, from Beliveau’s elegance to Gretzky’s dominance. Ties like Winnipeg’s and low marks like Minnesota’s signal opportunities. As schedules intensify—Colorado’s Central clashes, Tampa’s Atlantic tests—adding to these totals could define careers.

The real prize remains the Stanley Cup, but chasing franchise records adds extra motivation. Watch for MacKinnon, Kucherov and others to etch their names deeper. With playoffs looming, every point counts toward history and hardware.