Avalanche Leads the NHL: Alofoke Deportes Analysis
In a new week of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Alofoke Deportes voting panel keeps the Colorado Avalanche at the top of the league.
This week saw significant changes in the rankings, including the first appearance in the top 10 for the Chicago Blackhawks in a long time, with Connor Bedard and company fighting for a playoff spot, as a quarter of the season has been completed.
As part of this week’s rankings, we have identified the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for each team after 25% of the season.Classification Methodology: A panel of hockey commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors from Alofoke Deportes sends a survey from 1 to 32 based on the matches up to Wednesday.
Note: The above ranking of each team refers to the previous edition, published on November 14. The point percentages correspond to Thursday’s matches.
Legend: Illustration by ESPN
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 great season, MacKinnon leads the league in points (36) and goals (16).
Upcoming seven days: @ 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 Hurricanes’ rising star continues to play in all situations and maintains a pace close to a point per game.
Next seven days: @ WPG (November 21st), @ BUF (November 23rd), vs. NYR (November 26th)
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 has proven to be a good one, with the Swede leading the Ducks in the Pacific Division.
Next seven days: 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 paid off.
Next seven days: @ 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 several weeks without Jack Hughes, who suffered an injury.
Next seven days: @ 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. Scheifele is on pace to reach 50 goals and 100 points this season.
Next seven days: 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. Eichel led the Knights with 24 points in 19 games.
Next seven days: @ ANA (November 22), @ UTA (November 24), vs. OTT (November 26)
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 9
Percentage of points: 63.2%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Sidney Crosby. Crosby leads a revitalized Penguins.
Next seven days: 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 showing a great performance in his third season in the NHL, with a pace of 118 points.
Next seven days: @ 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 performance of the previous season, with 24 points in 20 games.
Next seven days: 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. Kempe, with a new contract extension, focuses on his performance on the ice, being the Kings’ top scorer with 19 points in 20 games.
Next seven days: 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 Islanders in playing time per game and has been nominated for the Olympic Games.
Next seven days: 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.
Next seven days: @ 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 has maintained his level of play.
Upcoming seven days: @ 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.
Next seven days: 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.
Next seven days: @ PIT (November 22), @ NYI (November 23), vs. DAL (November 26)
17. Utah Mammoth
Previous ranking: 13
Percentage of points: 54.8%
First quarter MVP: Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz leads the team in scoring.
Next seven days: 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.
Upcoming seven days: @ 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. Wallstedt has shown good performance in goal.
Next seven days: @ 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 a key player in the Capitals’ defense.
Next seven days: 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 on a significant role in the Panthers’ offense.
Next seven days: 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. Zegras is performing well in Philadelphia.
Next seven days: 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.
Next seven days: @ 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 rely heavily on their goalies.
Upcoming seven days: @ 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 demonstrate his excellence.
Next seven days: @ 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 proving to be a great player.
Next seven days: 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 for the Maple Leafs.
Next seven days: @ 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 is leading the Canucks in scoring.
Next seven days: 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 keeps scoring goals.
Next seven days: 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 has been a key player for the Blues.
Next seven days: @ 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 fundamental to the future of the Predators.
Next seven days: vs. COL (November 22), vs. FLA (November 24), @ DET (November 26)
32. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 32
Percentage of points: 34.1%
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Nazem Kadri. Kadri has been the Flames’ top scorer.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (November 22), VAN (November 23), @ TB (November 26)
