The 2025-26 NHL season continues its course, and the Alofoke Deportes voting panel keeps the Colorado Avalanche in the top position. Despite the constant changes in the league, the Colorado team demonstrates consistency in its performance.
This week, significant movements were observed in the rankings, including the first appearance in the top 10 of the Chicago Blackhawks in a long time. Connor Bedard’s performance and his team keep them in the fight for a playoff spot, even though only a quarter of the season has been completed.
In this edition of the rankings, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each team is also highlighted, considering the performance during the first 25% of the season.Classification Methodology: A panel of hockey commentators, analysts, and editors from Alofoke Deportes cast their votes based on the games played up to Wednesday.Illustration by Alofoke Deportes
NHL Ranking
1. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 1
Percentage of points: 82.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Nathan MacKinnon. Despite Cale Makar’s excellent performance, MacKinnon leads the league in points (36) and goals (16).
Upcoming games: @ NSH (November 22), @ CHI (November 23), vs. SJ (November 26)
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 4
Percentage of points: 70%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Seth Jarvis. The rising star of the Hurricanes continues to excel in all game situations, averaging close to a point per game.
Upcoming games: @ WPG (November 21), @ BUF (November 23), vs. NYR (November 26)
3. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 3
Percentage of points: 64.3%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Leo Carlsson. Carlsson’s selection in the 2023 draft seems to be paying off, as the 20-year-old Swedish player leads the Ducks, who are at the top of the Pacific Division.
Upcoming games: vs. VGK (November 22), vs. VAN (November 26)
4. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 5
Percentage of points: 69%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Mikko Rantanen. The Stars did not hesitate to secure Rantanen with a long-term contract, and so far, the investment has been successful.
Upcoming games: @ CGY (November 22), @ EDM (November 25), @ SEA (November 26)
5. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 2
Percentage of points: 67.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jesper Bratt. The Devils will have to face the absence of Jack Hughes, who suffered an unexpected injury.
Upcoming games: @ PHI (November 22), vs. DET (November 24), vs. STL (November 26)
6. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 7
Percentage of points: 63.2%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Mark Scheifele. The Jets’ first-line center is on track to surpass his personal records for goals and points.
Upcoming matches: vs. CAR (November 21), vs. MIN (November 23), @ WSH (November 26)
7. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 10
Percentage of points: 65%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jack Eichel. Although his goal and point production has decreased, Eichel leads the Knights with 24 points in 19 games.
Upcoming games: @ ANA (November 22), @ UTA (November 24), vs. OTT (November 26)
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 9
Percentage of points: 63.2%
First-quarter MVP: Sidney Crosby. Despite trade rumors, Crosby leads the Penguins to the top of the Metro Division, with six power-play goals.
Upcoming games: vs. MIN (November 21), vs. SEA (November 22), vs. BUF (November 26)
9. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 14
Percentage of points: 60%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Connor Bedard. Bedard is proving his worth, with 29 points in 19 games and Chicago remains in the fight for the playoffs.
Upcoming games: @ BUF (November 21), vs. COL (November 23), vs. MIN (November 26)
10. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 18
Percentage of points: 59.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Dylan Larkin. Larkin has maintained the good pace of last season, with 24 points in 20 games.
Upcoming games: vs. CBJ (November 22), @ NJ (November 24), vs. NSH (November 26)
11. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 11
Percentage of points: 59.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Adrian Kempe. With a new contract, Kempe focuses on his performance on the ice, leading the Kings with 19 points in 20 games.
Upcoming matches: vs. BOS (November 21), vs. OTT (November 24)
12. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 22
Percentage of points: 61.9%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer leads the Isles in playing time and could be responsible for the team’s resurgence.
Upcoming matches: vs. STL (November 22), vs. SEA (November 23), vs. BOS (November 26)
13. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 12
Percentage of points: 60%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jake Guentzel. Guentzel has improved his performance in November, seeking for the Lightning to climb in the standings of the Atlantic Division.
Upcoming games: @ WSH (November 22), vs. PHI (November 24), vs. CGY (November 26)
14. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 8
Percentage of points: 54.6%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: David Pastrnak. Pastrnak is meeting expectations, with 27 points in 22 games.
Upcoming games: @ LA (November 21), @ SJ (November 23), @ NYI (November 26)
15. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 6
Percentage of points: 57.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jakub Dobes. Dobes seems to be the best option in goal for the Habs.
Upcoming games: vs. TOR (November 22), @ UTA (November 26)
16. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 17
Percentage of points: 62.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jaden Schwartz. The Kraken have been one of the surprises of the season, staying in the fight for the playoffs.
Upcoming games: @ PIT (November 22), @ NYI (November 23), vs. DAL (November 26)
17. Utah Mammoth
Previous ranking: 13
Percentage of points: 54.8%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz leads the team in points and game-winning goals.
Upcoming games: vs. NYR (November 22), vs. VGK (November 24), vs. MTL (November 26)
18. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 15
Percentage of points: 60%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Tim Stutzle. Stutzle has taken on the responsibility of scoring after Brady Tkachuk’s injury.
Upcoming games: @ SJ (November 22), @ LA (November 24), @ VGK (November 26)
19. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 27
Percentage of points: 57.1%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jesper Wallstedt. Rookie goalie Wallstedt has had a big impact on the team.
Upcoming games: @ PIT (November 21), @ WPG (November 23), @ CHI (November 26)
20. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 19
Percentage of points: 57.1%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Logan Thompson. Thompson has been the last line of defense for the Capitals.
Upcoming games: vs. TB (November 22), vs. CBJ (November 24), vs. WPG (November 26)
21. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 24
Percentage of points: 57.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Brad Marchand. Marchand has taken the team’s leadership, scoring 23 points in 18 games.
Upcoming games: vs. EDM (November 22), @ NSH (November 24), vs. PHI (November 26)
22. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 16
Percentage of points: 60.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Trevor Zegras. A change of scenery has boosted Zegras’ career in Philadelphia.
Upcoming games: vs. NJ (November 22), TB (November 24), @ FLA (November 26)
23. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 26
Percentage of points: 57.1%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jet Greaves. Greaves has been the choice in goal for Columbus.
Upcoming games: @ DET (November 22), @ WSH (November 24), vs. TOR (November 26)
24. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 21
Percentage of points: 50%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Igor Shesterkin/Jonathan Quick. The Rangers have had a great performance in defending the goal.
Upcoming matches: @ UTA (November 22), vs. STL (November 24), @ CAR (November 26)
25. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 20
Percentage of points: 50%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Connor McDavid. McDavid continues to be an elite scorer, with 32 points in 22 games.
Upcoming games: @ FLA (November 22), vs. DAL (November 25)
26. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 23
Percentage of points: 54.8%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini is on track to break the Sharks’ scoring record in his second professional season.
Upcoming matches: vs. OTT (November 22), vs. BOS (November 23), @ COL (November 26)
27. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 25
Percentage of points: 50%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: William Nylander. Nylander has been consistent, with 27 points in 17 games.
Upcoming games: @ MTL (November 22), @ CBJ (November 26)
28. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 28
Percentage of points: 45.5%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Quinn Hughes. Hughes leads the Canucks in scoring.
Upcoming games: vs. CGY (November 23), @ ANA (November 26)
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 30
Percentage of points: 45%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Tage Thompson. Thompson continues to score goals for the Sabres.
Upcoming matches: vs. CHI (November 21), vs. CAR (November 23), @ PIT (November 26)
30. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 29
Percentage of points: 42.9%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Robert Thomas. Thomas is the only player with a positive balance on the team.
Upcoming games: @ NYI (November 22), @ NYR (November 24), @ NJ (November 26)
31. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 31
Percentage of points: 40%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Filip Forsberg. Forsberg is part of the Predators.
Upcoming matches: vs. COL (November 22), vs. FLA (November 24), @ DET (November 26)
32. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 32
Percentage of points: 34.1%
First quarter of the season MVP: Nazem Kadri. Kadri is the Flames’ leading scorer.
Upcoming matches: vs. DAL (November 22), VAN (November 23), @ TB (November 26)
