NHL Ranking: Avalanche leads, who will fight for playoffs?

The NHL calendar moves towards the 2026 Olympics, and player market movements continue. The New York Islanders have made deals with two close rivals from the Metro Division, adding Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers and Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils.

Below, we present this week’s NHL Power Ranking, highlighting a key February game for each team, either before or after the Olympic break.

Classification Methodology: A panel of commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors from Alofoke Deportes evaluates the teams from 1 to 32 based on the matches played until Wednesday.Note: The above ranking refers to the January 23rd edition. The point percentages correspond to the matches played until Thursday.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 1 Percentage of points: 76% February 26 vs. Wild: A key matchup between two teams with playoff aspirations.

• Next seven days: @ DET (January 31), vs. DET (February 2), vs. SJ (February 4)

2. Tampa Bay LightningPrevious ranking: 2 Percentage of points: 69.2% February 1st vs. Bruins: An outdoor game in Florida, with a pirate theme.

• Next seven days: vs. BOS (February 1), vs. BUF (February 3), vs. FLA (February 5)

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 3 Percentage of points: 67% February 26 vs. Lightning: A possible preview of the Eastern Conference final.

• Next seven days: @ WSH (January 31st), vs. LA (February 1st), vs. OTT (February 3rd), @ NYR (February 5th)

4. Minnesota Wild

Previous rating: 5 Percentage of points: 65.5% February 27th in Mammoth: The Wild seeks to solidify its position in the playoffs.

• Next seven days: @ EDM (January 31st), vs. MTL (February 2nd), @ NSH (February 4th)

5. Dallas Stars

Previous rating: 4 Percentage of points: 65.7% February 2 vs. Jets: Will we see the matchup between Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck, two of the best goalies heading to the Olympics?

• Next seven days: @ UTAH (January 31st), vs. WPG (February 2nd), vs. STL (February 4th)

6. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 9 Percentage of points: 63.2% 2 and 27 of February at Panthers: The Sabres seek to maintain their position in the Atlantic Division.

• Next seven days: vs. MTL (January 31), @ FLA (February 2), @ TB (February 3), vs. PIT (February 5)

7. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 6 Percentage of points: 63.6% February 2nd in Avalanche: A reunion of an old rivalry.

• Next seven days: vs. COL (January 31), @ COL (February 2), @ UTAH (February 4)

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 11 Percentage of points: 62.5% February 3rd at Islanders: An NHL classic, with potential playoff implications.

• Next seven days: vs. NYR (January 31), vs. OTT (February 2), @ NYI (February 3), @ BUF (February 5)

9. Montreal Canadiens

Previous rating: 8 Percentage of points: 62% February 28 vs. Capitals: A crucial match in the fight for the wild card spots in the East.

• Next seven days: @ BUF (January 31), @ MIN (February 2), @ WPG (February 4)

10. Vegas Golden KnightsPrevious ranking: 7 Percentage of points: 60.4% February 27th at Capitals: A rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final?

• Next seven days: vs. SEA (January 31), @ ANA (February 1), vs. VAN (February 4), vs. LA (February 5)

11. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 12 Percentage of points: 60.9% 1st of February vs. Lightning: A key match in the Stadium series, with great importance for the playoffs.

• Next seven days: vs. TB (February 1st), @ FLA (February 4th)

12. Utah Mammoth

Previous ranking: 14 Percentage of points: 55.6% February 25th vs. Avalanche: The last regular season matchup against the Avs.

• Next seven days: vs. DAL (January 31), vs. VAN (February 2), vs. DET (February 4)

13. Edmonton OilersPrevious ranking: 13 Percentage of points: 58.2% February 4 at Flames: The Alberta classic.

• Next seven days: vs. MIN (January 31), vs. TOR (February 3), @ CGY (February 4)

14. New York IslandersPrevious ranking: 10 Percentage of points: 60.2% February 5th at Devils: Will the Islanders be able to widen the distance with their rivals?

• Next seven days: vs. NSH (January 31), @ WSH (February 2), vs. PIT (February 3), @ NJ (February 5)

15. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 18 Percentage of points: 55.7% February 5th on Lightning: The “Battle of Florida” continues to gain intensity.

• Next seven days: vs. WPG (January 31), vs. BUF (February 2), vs. BOS (February 4)

16. Anaheim DucksPrevious ranking: 20 Percentage of points: 54.6% February 1st vs. Golden Knights: Will the Ducks be able to score important points against the Knights?

• Next seven days: vs. VGK (February 1st), vs. SEA (February 3rd)

17. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 22 Percentage of points: 54.8% February 26 vs. Oilers: The Kings look to break their losing streak against the Oilers.

• Next seven days: @ PHI (January 31), @ CAR (February 1), vs. SEA (February 4), @ VGK (February 5)

18. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 21 Percentage of points: 55.8% February 2nd at Blackhawks: A duel between young NHL prospects.

• Next seven days: @ CGY (January 31), @ CHI (February 2), @ COL (February 4)

19. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 24 Percentage of points: 55.7% February 28th at Canucks: A crucial match for Seattle in their fight for the playoffs.

• Next seven days: @ VGK (January 31), @ ANA (February 3), @ LA (February 4)

20. Philadelphia FlyersPrevious ranking: 17 Percentage of points: 53.8% February 26th at Rangers: The Flyers look to take advantage of the Rangers’ situation.

• Next seven days: vs. LA (January 31), vs. WSH (February 3), vs. OTT (February 5)

21. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 19 Percentage of points: 53.8% February 28th at Maple Leafs: A new chapter in the “Battle of Ontario”.

• Next seven days: vs. NJ (January 31), @ PIT (February 2), @ CAR (February 3), @ PHI (February 5)

22. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 25 Percentage of points: 54.8% February 26th at Bruins: The Blue Jackets look to continue their good streak.

• Next seven days: @ CHI (January 30), @ STL (January 31), @ NJ (February 3), vs. CHI (February 4)

23. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 16 Percentage of points: 53.6% 3rd and 25th of February vs. Flyers: Two crucial games to avoid missing the playoffs.

• Next seven days: vs. CAR (January 31), vs. NYI (February 2), @ PHI (February 3), vs. NSH (February 5)

24. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 15 Percentage of points: 52.8% February 25th and 26th in Lightning, Panthers: A crucial journey for the Maple Leafs’ playoff aspirations.

• Next seven days: @ VAN (January 31st), @ CGY (February 2nd), @ EDM (February 3rd)

25. New Jersey DevilsPrevious ranking: 23 Percentage of points: 53.7% February 5th vs. Islanders: Will there be a tribute video for Ondrej Palat on his return to New Jersey?

• Next seven days: @ OTT (January 31), vs. CBJ (February 3), vs. NYI (February 5)

26. Nashville PredatorsPrevious ranking: 26 Percentage of points: 50.9% February 26 vs. Blackhawks: The fight for the wild cards in the Central Division.

• Next seven days: @ NYI (January 31), vs. STL (February 2), vs. MIN (February 4), @ WSH (February 5)

27. Winnipeg JetsPrevious ranking: 28 Percentage of points: 46.2% February 25th on Canucks: The Jets could join the list of teams looking to make changes before March 6th.

• Next seven days: @ FLA (January 31), @ DAL (February 2), vs. MTL (February 4)

28. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 27 Percentage of points: 47.2% February 28th at Avalanche: Will the Blackhawks surprise against the Avalanche?

• Next seven days: vs. CBJ (January 30), vs. SJ (February 2), @ CBJ (February 4)

29. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 30 Percentage of points: 45.5% February 28 vs. Penguins: Although the season isn’t looking good for the Rangers, it’s always special to see the stars at Madison Square Garden.

• Next seven days: @ PIT (January 31), vs. CAR (February 5)

30. Calgary FlamesPrevious ranking: 29 Percentage of points: 45.3% February 4 vs. Oilers: Another chapter in the Battle of Alberta.

• Next seven days: vs. SJ (January 31), vs. TOR (February 2), vs. EDM (February 4)

31. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 31 Percentage of points: 45.4% February 28 vs. Devils: Rumors of possible trades for the Blues.

• Next seven days: vs. CBJ (January 31), @ NSH (February 2), @ DAL (February 4)

32. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 32 Percentage of points: 38% February 28th at Kraken: The Canucks are nearing the end of a difficult season.

• Next seven days: vs. TOR (January 31), @ UTAH (February 2), @ VGK (February 4)