NHL Power Rankings: What Lies Ahead For All 32 Teams
As the season winds down, this is the last NHL power rankings of the season before the 2026 playoffs begin.
In the East, the matchups are set. It'll be Carolina versus Ottawa, Buffalo versus Boston, Tampa Bay versus Montreal and Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia.
In the West, the only matchup that's set is Dallas versus Minnesota, with the Pacific Division race coming down to the wire to determine the division champion and remaining matchups. The division winner will face Utah, while Colorado will face the second wild-card squad.
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The Vegas Golden Knights can lock in a playoff matchup on Wednesday and set the stage for an intriguing last day of the regular season on Thursday.
10. Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, +7. PR: 10)
It was huge just to make the playoffs, and it'll serve as a valuable experience for a team still trying to find its identity. A first-round matchup against a hated rival is a huge bonus because it'll put their young players in the pressure cooker.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, +25. PR: 8)
The Pens have extended the window of opportunity in the Sidney Crosby Era, and it's all about giving their aging championship-winning core one more chance. For one thing, Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are playing like their best days have not passed.
12. Vegas Golden Knights (38-26-17, +12. PR: 13)
It was such an uneven season, it's hard to tell if the Knights are still legit contenders or in major need of a refresh, though they certainly got a wake-up call with a late-season coaching change. They have an unbelievably talented core, but you start to wonder if they need a little injection of youth after trading away so many prospects and picks for the sake of winning now.
13. Utah Mammoth (43-32-6, +30. PR: 12)
It's a shame the Mammoth are stuck in a division with three legitimate contenders in the Avs, Stars and Wild. They're not close to being on their level yet, and you wonder what'll happen first: the Mammoth become an elite team or have to wait until the Avs, Stars and Wild grow old and tired.
14. Los Angeles Kings (35-26-20, -20. PR: 21)
As the Kopitar Era comes to a close, the Kings have to ask themselves if they should try to keep their window open, even if their chances of winning are slim, or really get younger and faster and hand the reins to Quinton Byfield. Artemi Panarin is an elite player who instantly made them better, but it still feels like the Kings are closer to purgatory – not good enough to win, not bad enough to lose – than anything else.
15. Edmonton Oilers (40-30-11, +8. PR: 14)
Does a first-round exit spur the Oilers to make drastic changes? It feels like they're moving further away from winning, barring some drastic changes, and the pressure will be immense when Connor McDavid's two-year extension kicks in next season. By mid-season, if the Oilers still don't look like a dominant, Cup-contending force, what happens next?
16. Washington Capitals (43-30-9, +19. PR: 19)
The good news is the Caps have some young players they can potentially build around. The bad news is they might have to get worse for a little bit before they get better. In the immediate future, all eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin as he decides his next career move.
17. St. Louis Blues (36-33-12, -29. PR: 18)
There are some obvious names the Blues should move, including Jordan Binnington and perhaps Jordan Kyrou, but certainly not Robert Thomas. Despite a very inconsistent season, the Blues seem to be on the right track with a promising core.
18. Anaheim Ducks (42-33-6, -16. PR: 23)
The Ducks pulled up lame with a late-season losing streak that seems to kill whatever momentum they had coming out of March. They're incredibly talented but also extremely streaky, and the only way they can win a playoff series or two is if they get hot at the right time.
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With Dallas facing Minnesota in the first round, it's a guarantee that one of the top-3 teams in the Western Conference will be eliminated early on in the playoffs.
19. New Jersey Devils (42-37-3, -24. PR: 25)
Whoever the Devils bring in as their next GM may have a very different idea of how to run the team. From coach Sheldon Keefe to captain Nico Hischier to trade-rumor staple Dougie Hamilton to their aging goalies, nothing is clear in the marsh right now.
20. San Jose Sharks (38-34-8, -43. PR: 22)
First step: re-sign Macklin Celebrini. Second step: profit.
21. Nashville Predators (38-33-10, -21. PR: 20)
In the best-case scenario, the Preds' new GM makes some astute moves, and the vets drag this team into the playoffs, just like the Pens did this season. But the ceiling just isn't very high, and the clock keeps ticking. A growing concern is Juuse Saros' play, who is under contract for seven more seasons.
22. New York Islanders (43-34-5, -8. PR: 15)
Once you get past the initial shock, you'll remember two things: Peter DeBoer has a track record of taking his teams deep into the playoffs early in his stints, and you have Matthew Schaefer on your roster.
23. Detroit Red Wings (41-30-10, -10. PR: 17)
Do you believe in the Yzerplan or not? How much more patient can everyone afford to be? Their methodical approach has produced some really great players through the draft, but perhaps they should take notes from the Knights and be a lot more aggressive in acquiring the players they need. Can they pull the trigger?
24. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-30-12, even. PR: 16)
Another late-season collapse as yet another chapter for the league's losingest franchise. They need to take advantage of Zach Werenski's prime, but it's tough to do when you're saddled with some questionable contracts (Conor Garland, Ivan Provorov), aging veterans (who might be re-signed!), and in Rick Bowness' words, players who don't hate losing. "Three hits, 23 giveaways!" is an all-time quote.
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Rick Bowness said some of the Columbus Blue Jackets' players are so lucky there's no practice tomorrow after a 2-1 loss to end the season.
25. Winnipeg Jets (35-34-12, -24. PR: 24)
Unless the Jets' young prospects take a big step – they'll need the requisite ice time though – it's hard to see the Jets being competitive barring another superhuman season from Connor Hellebuyck. They're still relying on one line far too often.
26. Seattle Kraken (34-35-11, -32. PR: 27)
It's about time the Kraken take a big swing. They've been patient, and Ron Francis had his chance. With speculation that the NBA is coming back to town, the Kraken need to really reinvigorate their fan base with something to cheer about. The problem: is there a big move they can make to really make their team better right away?
27. Florida Panthers (39-38-4, -32. PR: 29)
The Panthers will be Cup contenders next season with a healthy lineup. And don't forget they still might win the lottery.
28. New York Rangers (33-39-9, -14. PR: 26)
The Rangers brought in J.T. Miller thinking he could provide an edge and push them higher, but instead, it's resulted in them missing the playoffs for the second straight season. It's a little tough to see how the Rangers move upward from here, and GM Chris Drury does not have a vote of confidence right now.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs (32-35-14, -44. PR: 28)
The Leafs will be one of the most fascinating teams going forward as they deal with Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly's uncertain future. The first piece of their Core Four was traded without the Leafs getting much value in return. What lessons will they have learned?
30. Calgary Flames (33-39-9, -49. PR: 30)
With a strong home record, some promising young players coming up the ranks, a few more veterans for Craig Conroy to flex in trades and a new rink coming soon, things don't actually feel that dire in Calgary. Despite a bottom finish, there's a lot to look forward to.
31. Vancouver Canucks (25-48-8, -95. PR: 32)
It's a bad look when The Athletic's recent anonymous poll with player agents named the Canucks as the league's worst-run team. They have a franchise center who is paid like one but isn't playing like one, numerous questions surrounding the competence of their front office and coaching staff, and an inability to articulate a clear plan. What is next for them, really?
32. Chicago Blackhawks (28-39-14, -65. PR: 31)
It feels like a lost season for the Hawks with Connor Bedard's injury and a roster that wasn't bolstered much over the summer. But perhaps the big leap is taken next year with Bedard, Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell forming the backbone of their offense for the next 15 years. They've got good young players at every position and will be adding another at this year's draft.
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 12:27 PM.