NHL Ranking: Avalanche Remains on Top
After another week of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Alofoke Deportes voting panel keeps the Colorado Avalanche as the best 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, with Connor Bedard and company fighting for a playoff spot a quarter of the season in. As part of the weekly classification, the most valuable player (MVP) of each team is identified after 25% of the season.Classification Methodology: A panel of commentators, analysts, reporters, and hockey editors from Alofoke Deportes issues a poll from 1 to 32 based on the matches up to Wednesday.
1. Colorado Avalanche
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 games: @ NSH (November 22), @ CHI (November 23), vs. SJ (November 26)2. Carolina Hurricanes
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. Upcoming games: @ WPG (November 21), @ BUF (November 23), vs. NYR (November 26)3. Anaheim Ducks
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Leo Carlsson. Carlsson’s selection at the number 2 spot in the 2023 draft has proven to be correct, with the 20-year-old Swede leading the Ducks. Upcoming games: vs. VGK (November 22), vs. VAN (November 26)4. Dallas Stars
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. Upcoming games: @ CGY (November 22), @ EDM (November 25), @ SEA (November 26)5. New Jersey Devils
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jesper Bratt. Bratt and the Devils will have to face the absence of Jack Hughes for several weeks due to an injury.Próximos partidos: @ PHI (22 de noviembre), vs. DET (24 de noviembre), vs. STL (26 de noviembre)
6. Winnipeg Jets
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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jack Eichel. Despite having slowed down his pace in the race for goals and points, Eichel led the Knights with 24 points in 19 games. Upcoming games: @ ANA (November 22), @ UTA (November 24), vs. OTT (November 26)8. Pittsburgh Penguins
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Sidney Crosby. Crosby has led the Penguins to a prominent place in 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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Connor Bedard. Bedard is proving his worth, with 29 points in 19 games and Chicago in the fight for a playoff spot. Upcoming games: @ BUF (November 21), vs. COL (November 23), vs. MIN (November 26)10. Detroit Red Wings
First-quarter MVP: Dylan Larkin. Larkin has maintained the good performance he showed in the past, scoring 24 points in his first 20 games. Upcoming games: vs. CBJ (November 22), @ NJ (November 24), vs. NSH (November 26)11. Los Angeles Kings
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Adrian Kempe. With a new contract extension, 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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer leads the Isles in playing time per game and could be driving an improvement in the team. Upcoming matches: vs. STL (November 22), vs. SEA (November 23), vs. BOS (November 26)13. Tampa Bay Lightning
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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: David Pastrnak. Pastrnak is meeting expectations, scoring 27 points in his first 22 games. Upcoming matches: @ LA (November 21), @ SJ (November 23), @ NYI (November 26)15. Montreal Canadiens
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Jakub Dobes. Dobes seems to be the best option in goal for the Habs this season. Upcoming games: vs. TOR (November 22), @ UTA (November 26)16. Seattle Kraken
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 a playoff spot. Upcoming games: @ PIT (November 22), @ NYI (November 23), vs. DAL (November 26)17. Utah Mammoth
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz leads the team in scoring in his first season as a Mammoth. Upcoming games: vs. NYR (November 22), vs. VGK (November 24), vs. MTL (November 26)18. Ottawa Senators
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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: 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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Logan Thompson. Thompson has been a key player for the Capitals. Upcoming games: vs. TB (November 22), vs. CBJ (November 24), vs. WPG (November 26)21. Florida Panthers
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Brad Marchand. Marchand has taken on an important role in the team, scoring 23 points in 18 games. Upcoming games: vs. EDM (November 22), @ NSH (November 24), vs. PHI (November 26)22. Philadelphia Flyers
MVP of the first quarter of the season: 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
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
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Igor Shesterkin/Jonathan Quick. The Rangers rely on their goaltending to stay competitive. Upcoming matches: @ UTA (November 22), vs. STL (November 24), @ CAR (November 26)25. Edmonton Oilers
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Connor McDavid. McDavid continues to demonstrate his talent with a high level of scoring. Upcoming games: @ FLA (November 22), vs. DAL (November 25)26. San Jose Sharks
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini is on his way to break the Sharks’ scoring record. Upcoming matches: vs. OTT (November 22), vs. BOS (November 23), @ COL (November 26)27. Toronto Maple Leafs
MVP of the first quarter of the season: William Nylander. Nylander has been consistent for the Maple Leafs. Upcoming games: @ MTL (November 22), @ CBJ (November 26)28. Vancouver Canucks
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
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 BluesMVP of the first quarter of the season: Robert Thomas. Thomas has been the Blues’ most outstanding player. Upcoming games: @ NYI (November 22), @ NYR (November 24), @ NJ (November 26)31. Nashville Predators
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Filip Forsberg. Forsberg could be key to the future of the Predators. Upcoming matches: vs. COL (November 22), vs. FLA (November 24), @ DET (November 26)32. Calgary Flames
MVP of the first quarter of the season: Nazem Kadri. Kadri has been the most outstanding player for the Flames. Upcoming matches: vs. DAL (November 22), VAN (November 23), @ TB (November 26)
