NHL Power Rankings Week 4: Jets, Canadiens lead as Utah Mammoth surge

The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its critical fourth week, and the landscape across the league continues to shift dramatically. With every team now having played between 10 and 13 games, patterns are beginning to emerge that separate the legitimate contenders from the pretenders. This week’s power rankings showcase surprising surges from unlikely teams, continued dominance from expected powerhouses, and troubling slumps from clubs that entered the season with championship aspirations.

From the Winnipeg Jets’ commanding presence atop the standings to the Montreal Canadiens’ unexpected resurgence, week 4 has provided plenty of storylines worth dissecting. The Utah Mammoth have emerged as one of the league’s most compelling narratives, while traditional powers like the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers find themselves searching for answers. As we analyze how teams have performed through the opening month, it’s clear that this season will be anything but predictable.

Winnipeg Jets soar to the top in 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4

The Winnipeg Jets have established themselves as the team to beat in the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4, posting an impressive 8-3-0 record through their first 11 games. Their dominance stems from the otherworldly play of Connor Hellebuyck, who has elevated his game to unprecedented heights. The reigning two-time Vezina Trophy winner is currently saving 1.36 goals above expected per game, a staggering improvement over his already elite 0.79 mark from last season.

What makes Winnipeg’s position particularly impressive is that they’ve achieved this success despite posting the league’s worst expected goals percentage at five-on-five. Without Hellebuyck’s heroics, this team would look dramatically different in the standings. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor continue to prove they’re one of the NHL’s most dynamic duos, combining for 24 points already this season.

The Jets’ ability to win while being outplayed possession-wise raises questions about sustainability, but for now, they’re reaping the rewards of having an elite goaltender who can steal games on a nightly basis. Their defensive structure under head coach Scott Arniel has allowed Hellebuyck to see quality shots, and he’s stopping everything that comes his way.

Winnipeg’s schedule doesn’t get any easier in the coming weeks, with several tough divisional matchups on the horizon. However, if Hellebuyck maintains this level of play and the offense continues to capitalize on its chances, the Jets could hold their position at the top for the foreseeable future. The combination of goaltending excellence and opportunistic scoring has been a championship formula throughout NHL history.

Montreal Canadiens continue their surprising climb

Few teams have exceeded expectations more dramatically than the Montreal Canadiens in the early stages of the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4 assessment. Sitting at 8-3-0 and occupying first place in the Eastern Conference, the Habs have quickly silenced critics who predicted another rebuilding year. Their success has been built on an unexpected foundation: goaltending excellence from Jakub Dobes and balanced scoring throughout the lineup.

Dobes has been nothing short of sensational, posting a perfect 5-0 record with a 1.77 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. The Czech netminder has seized the starting role from Samuel Montembeault and hasn’t looked back. His ability to give the team a chance to win every night has transformed Montreal’s outlook entirely.

Captain Nick Suzuki has elevated his game to franchise center status, currently sitting fifth in the league with a plus-3.9 Net Rating. His 16 points in 11 games and exceptional 60 percent expected goals percentage demonstrate that he’s become the elite two-way player the organization envisioned when they handed him the captaincy. Suzuki is making a strong early case for being considered among the league’s top-tier centers.

The depth scoring has been equally impressive, with 12 different players recording five or more points through the first month. This balanced attack makes Montreal difficult to defend against, as opponents can&#039t simply focus on shutting down one line. The loss of Patrik Laine to core muscle surgery for 3-4 months is unfortunate, but the team’s depth has proven capable of absorbing such setbacks. As detailed in our previous week’s analysis, the Canadiens’ youth movement is paying immediate dividends.

Colorado Avalanche maintain elite status despite recent struggles

Despite dropping four consecutive games, the Colorado Avalanche remain firmly entrenched in the upper echelon of the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4. Their 6-1-4 record reflects a team that has been competitive in every contest, with three of those four losses extending past regulation. The Avalanche’s underlying metrics suggest they remain one of the league’s most dominant forces when playing at full strength.

Cale Makar continues his generational dominance from the blue line, currently leading the entire NHL in Net Rating at plus-6.0—a full 1.5 goals better than the next closest player. His 15 points in 11 games, combined with a 62 percent expected goals percentage, demonstrate why debates about the league’s best defenseman have effectively ended. Makar is controlling games at both ends of the ice in ways reminiscent of prime Bobby Orr.

The team’s recent skid can be partially attributed to injuries and schedule quirks, as backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood has started all but two games while Mackenzie Blackwood recovers. Colorado has also faced a murderous stretch against elite competition, including battles with the Hurricanes, Devils, and surging Utah Mammoth. The fact that they pushed most of these games to overtime speaks to their resilience.

Once Blackwood returns to full health, the Avalanche should have the goaltending stability necessary to complement their elite offensive firepower. The team ranks second in goals against per game, demonstrating that their defensive structure remains sound. Nathan MacKinnon continues to drive the offense, and the supporting cast of Mikko Rantanen, Jonathan Drouin, and others provides the depth necessary for a championship run.

Colorado’s championship pedigree and star power ensure they’ll remain a threat throughout the season. Their ability to generate high-quality chances consistently makes them dangerous against any opponent. The recent losing streak appears more like a temporary blip than a fundamental flaw, and expect them to climb back toward the top of these rankings as they regain full health.

Utah Mammoth emerge as legitimate Western Conference contenders

Perhaps the most stunning development in the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4 is the meteoric rise of the Utah Mammoth, who have surged into the top five with an 8-2-0 record. The franchise formerly known as the Utah Hockey Club has finally assembled all the pieces, creating one of the most formidable offensive attacks in the entire league. Their transformation from rebuilding project to playoff contender has been nothing short of remarkable.

Nick Schmaltz has been absolutely unconscious to start the season, tied for the league lead with 16 points. His 127-point pace might not be sustainable over a full season, but it reflects a player operating at the peak of his powers. When you add Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther to that equation, Utah boasts arguably the most dangerous top-six forward group in the NHL.

Logan Cooley deserves special recognition for his emergence as a legitimate star. The young center has eight goals in 11 games and ranks 16th in Net Rating, making him look like a future perennial All-Star. His combination of skill, speed, and hockey IQ has made him nearly impossible to contain. Scouts who projected him as a potential franchise center are being proven correct far earlier than expected.

Karel Vejmelka’s resurgence between the pipes has provided the stability necessary for offensive-minded teams to thrive. After signing a contract extension, he’s rewarded management’s faith by ranking among the league’s top goaltenders in goals saved above expected. Utah is scoring the fourth-most goals while allowing the third-fewest—a combination that typically leads to sustained success.

The Mammoth’s schedule has been among the toughest in the league, yet they’ve passed every test with flying colors. Their victories include wins over legitimate contenders, proving this isn’t simply a hot start against weak competition. If they can maintain this level of play, the Western Conference playoff race just got significantly more interesting.

Surprising struggles plague traditional powerhouses

While teams like Montreal and Utah have exceeded expectations, several traditional contenders are struggling to find their footing in the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, both expected to compete for the Stanley Cup, find themselves hovering around .500 and searching for answers.

Edmonton’s offensive woes have been particularly concerning. Despite having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—two of the league’s most dynamic players—the Oilers are averaging just 2.90 goals per game. Outside of their elite trio, no player has managed more than five points through ten games. The absence of Zach Hyman due to wrist injury has exposed their lack of secondary scoring depth.

McDavid himself is skating an league-leading 4.8 miles per game, up a full mile from last season, suggesting he’s trying to do even more to compensate for the team’s struggles. While he managed two goals against Utah earlier this week, the slow start has been uncharacteristic for the game’s best player. The Oilers’ 4-4-2 record and five losses in their last seven games have created legitimate concern in Northern Alberta.

Florida’s defending champion status hasn’t translated into early-season success, as they’ve stumbled to a 5-5-1 record. Sam Reinhart’s inexplicable five points in ten games has been particularly disappointing given his massive contract and expectations. The Panthers badly need Matthew Tkachuk to return and provide the spark that made them champions last spring.

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s struggles center on Andrei Vasilevskiy’s uncharacteristic poor play. The future Hall of Famer has won just one of six starts with a 3.00 GAA and .892 save percentage—numbers well below his career standards. At age 31, questions about whether age and injuries are catching up to him have begun circulating around the hockey world.

Rising teams capitalize on early opportunities

Beyond the top tier, several teams are positioning themselves as potential playoff surprises in the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4. The Pittsburgh Penguins have defied all preseason expectations, posting a 6-2-1 record under new head coach Dan Muse. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have turned back the clock, combining for 32 points and making the Penguins look like legitimate contenders rather than rebuilding candidates.

The Philadelphia Flyers have found defensive identity under Rick Tocchet, posting the league’s best expected goals against rate at 2.11 per 60 minutes. Tocchet’s defensive system has transformed a team that was already solid under John Tortorella into a Jacques Lemaire-style defensive juggernaut. When you can limit quality chances against while Trevor Zegras and Sean Couturier provide offensive punch, good things happen.

Detroit’s Dylan Larkin is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate with 13 points in nine games, including six goals. The Red Wings captain has elevated his game to superstar levels, dragging his team to a 6-3 record through sheer force of will. The question becomes whether Detroit’s supporting cast can maintain their current pace or if they’ll regress to previous performance levels.

Seattle continues its surprising competence behind Joey Daccord’s stellar goaltending. The Kraken netminder has been a wall, allowing just two goals over his last two starts and giving Seattle a legitimate chance to compete for a playoff spot. At 5-2-2, they’re second in the Pacific Division and showing no signs of fading despite the absence of leading scorer Jared McCann.

These teams represent the competitive balance that makes the NHL so compelling. On any given night, proper structure, goaltending, and opportunistic scoring can overcome raw talent gaps. Whether these clubs can sustain their success over 82 games remains to be seen, but they’ve certainly earned respect through the season’s first month.

Bottom-feeders search for solutions and bright spots

At the opposite end of the 2025-26 NHL power rankings week 4 spectrum, several teams are already looking toward the draft lottery rather than playoff positioning. The Calgary Flames have been particularly dreadful, winning just two of their first 12 games and averaging a league-worst 2.00 goals per game. Goaltender Dustin Wolf has already publicly called out his teammates, reflecting the frustration permeating the organization.

However, even struggling teams have discovered bright spots worth celebrating. The San Jose Sharks have watched Macklin Celebrini’s sophomore brilliance firsthand, as the 19-year-old recorded his first career five-point game and is currently riding a four-game, 10-point streak. His breakaway overtime winner against Minnesota showcased the elite talent that will anchor San Jose’s rebuild for years to come.

Celebrini’s development trajectory mirrors that of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, who both won Art Ross Trophies in their second seasons. While expecting similar results might be premature, the early returns suggest San Jose found their franchise cornerstone. The Sharks are playing entertaining firewagon hockey, scoring and allowing goals at ridiculous rates while giving fans reason to watch despite the losses.

Boston’s struggles after a 3-0 start have been particularly alarming, as they&#039ve lost six straight regulation games before finally defeating Colorado. The Bruins’ defensive structure has completely broken down, and not even Jeremy Swayman’s heroics can mask the fundamental issues plaguing the roster. At 4-6, they sit last in the Atlantic Division and face serious questions about their long-term direction.

Nashville’s early-season woes pale in comparison to last year’s historically bad start, but losing franchise cornerstone Roman Josi for an extended period creates massive challenges. Without their captain and best defenseman, the Predators will lean heavily on Juuse Saros to keep them competitive. Their 4-4-2 record leaves them just a point out of playoff position, suggesting they&#039re better than their reputation suggests.

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Week 4 of the 2025-26 season has crystallized which teams entered the campaign truly prepared to compete and which ones have work to do. The Jets and Canadiens have established themselves as legitimate forces, while Colorado and Vegas continue proving they belong in championship conversations. Utah’s emergence adds another compelling storyline to an already fascinating season.

As teams approach the quarter-mark of the schedule, the patterns established now will likely persist throughout the campaign. Goaltending continues to separate winners from losers, elite centers drive offensive success, and defensive structure remains the foundation of sustainable achievement. The coming weeks will determine whether surprise contenders can maintain their pace or if gravity inevitably pulls them back to earth. One thing is certain: the 2025-26 NHL season has already provided more intrigue and excitement than anyone anticipated.