NHL Ranking: Colorado Avalanche Remains on Top
After another week of intense action in the 2025-26 NHL season, the Alofoke Deportes expert panel maintains the Colorado Avalanche as the strongest team in 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. Connor Bedard and his team continue to fight for a playoff spot, even though the season is in its first quarter.Taking advantage of the first quarter of the season, we have identified the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each team so far.
Classification Methodology: A panel of commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors from Alofoke Deportes prepares a ranking from 1 to 32 based on the matches played until Wednesday.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 1 Percentage of points: 82.5% MVP of the first quarter: Nathan MacKinnon. Despite Cale Makar’s great season, 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: Seth Jarvis. The rising star of the Hurricanes continues to play in all situations and maintain a pace 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: Leo Carlsson. The selection of Carlsson at the number 2 spot in the 2023 draft has proven to be accurate, with the 20-year-old Swede leading the Ducks, who are competing 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: Mikko Rantanen. The Stars did not hesitate to secure Rantanen with a long-term contract. So far, the bet 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% First quarter MVP: Jesper Bratt. The Devils will have to keep playing without Jack Hughes for several weeks, after an injury suffered in Chicago. 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: Mark Scheifele. The Jets’ first-line center is on track to surpass his personal records, with a projection of 50 goals and 109 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: Jack Eichel. Although his pace has slowed down in terms of goals and points, Eichel led the Knights with 24 points in 19 games, making him a strong contender for the Hart Trophy. 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 the trade rumors, Crosby leads a revitalized Penguins team, which is near the top of the Metro Division, including 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: Connor Bedard. Bedard is proving his worth, with 29 points in 19 games, and is on track to score 118 points, while 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: Dylan Larkin. Larkin has maintained the momentum from his outstanding performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off, accumulating 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: Adrian Kempe. With a new contract in hand, Kempe has focused on his performance, 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: Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer leads the Islanders in playing time per game and has been included in the list of Canadian Olympic candidates. 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: Jake Guentzel. Guentzel has improved his performance in November, and the Lightning are looking to climb the standings in 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: David Pastrnak. Pastrnak has maintained his level of play, accumulating 27 points in 22 games. Upcoming matches: @ 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: Jakub Dobes. Dobes seems to be the best option for the Habs in goal. 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: Jaden Schwartz. The Kraken have been one of the surprises of the season. 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: Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz leads the team in scoring. 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: Tim Stutzle. Stutzle has taken on the scoring responsibility 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: Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstedt has had a great impact as a rookie goalie. 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: 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: Brad Marchand. Marchand has taken on a significant role in the absence of Barkov and Tkachuk. 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: Trevor Zegras. Zegras has found a new momentum 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: Jet Greaves. Greaves has been the starting goalie 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: Igor Shesterkin/Jonathan Quick. The Rangers have had a great performance in 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: Connor McDavid. McDavid continues to be the most outstanding player for the Oilers. 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: Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini is on track to break scoring records. 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: William Nylander. Nylander has been a consistent player for the Maple Leafs. Upcoming games: @ MTL (November 22), @ CBJ (November 26)28. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 28 Percentage of points: 45.5% MVP of the first quarter: 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: 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 BluesPrevious ranking: 29 Percentage of points: 42.9% MVP of the first quarter: Robert Thomas. Thomas has been a standout player for the Blues. 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: Filip Forsberg. Forsberg continues to be a key player for 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% MVP of the first quarter: Nazem Kadri. Kadri is the Flames’ top scorer. Upcoming matches: vs. DAL (November 22), VAN (November 23), @ TB (November 26)
