TAMPA, Fla. — As the NHL heads into the roster freeze ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic break, it feels like the league has hit its first midseason sprint, where form, standings, health and playoff paths matter almost as much as goals and assists. With the calendar drifting toward February and the playoff picture tightening, it’s time for a personal power ranking — not based on futures odds or Las Vegas juice, but on what teams are actually doing right now, how they’re trending and how well positioned they seem for April and beyond.
Before we get to the list, here’s how I’m judging these clubs:
My Criteria
- Current form – Who’s hot and who’s ice cold?
- Standings position – Points matter.
- Team health/strength – Are key players healthy and contributing?
- Playoff path – Based on all of the above, who’s set up best for March and April?
With that in mind, here’s how I’m stacking them as we freeze rosters and look toward the break:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s hard to argue with Tampa Bay being my No. 1. The Lightning are red hot, riding one of the NHL’s best long stretches and playing with a swagger reminiscent of their recent championship runs. Bolts’ personnel are clicking, scoring opportunities are coming in waves, and they’re proving tough to solve in all situations. Goaltending and depth scoring are both reliable, giving them the edge as the league’s hottest club entering the break.
2. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota continues to be a formidable force in the West, mixing elite defense with opportunistic offense and winning the key battles that matter late in games. Their puck possession and structure speak to a team built not just for the regular season, but for the postseason grind, making them my No. 2.
3. Colorado Avalanche
Yes, I still believe the Avalanche are the best team in hockey — pure talent, depth and dynamism. Their current “slump” is relative; Colorado has shown elite offense and the ability to dominate possession and high‑danger shots over the long haul. But the Lightning and Wild are playing better hockey right now, so they slip slightly in my ordering, though don’t be surprised if the Avs are still standing in June.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina has been a true regular‑season wagon, healthy at the right times and balanced across all four lines. Their high shot rate and strong expected goals numbers make them a tough out in March. The edge here goes to the Hurricanes because of consistency and the depth of talent they can roll out every night.
5. Dallas Stars
Dallas has quietly put together a strong campaign, mixing sturdy defense with timely scoring, and has a veteran core that can weather adversity. I could debate Carolina and Dallas all day — and they’re virtually interchangeable here — but head‑to‑head and recent wins nudged Carolina slightly ahead.
6. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo is scorching hot and doing it in a stacked Atlantic Division. The Sabres are competing night in and night out, beating good teams and showing they belong near the top of the standings. They’ve taken the Panthers to the woodshed at times and taken the Hurricanes to the wire, a sign of a team with real legs come playoff time.
7. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit’s resurgent season is one of the feel‑good stories of the year. They’ve balanced scoring and solid defense to rise into the playoff picture, and their forward group is delivering when it matters. Injuries have luckily not crippled them, and they’re playing with a confidence that deserves recognition.
8. Montreal Canadiens
Look, sometimes you just want to watch hockey fun — and the Canadiens are fun. With a lethal, American‑led offense that’s buzzing, Montreal has been competitive and dynamic. Whether they make a deep run once they reach the bracket is a bigger question, but they deserve their spot here given their scoring punch and the chemistry they’ve built.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Let’s be real: what Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still doing at this stage of their careers is legitimately impressive. Big players make big plays, and Stuart Skinner has turned things around in net for Pittsburgh since arriving. They’re not a clear top‑tier club yet, but they’re absolutely dangerous and capable of taking down anyone on a given night.
10. Boston Bruins
Boston have yet to really turn on the jets or anything out of this world, but like any New England sports team, they’re always in the mix by the end of it. I don’t see a Cup winning team here, but I can very well see a playoff one that can win a series.
Honorable Mentions & Other Notes
Edmonton Oilers: Lethal scoring duo but they need a way into the playoffs. With McDavid and Draisaitl, you never count them out, but they’re not quite there yet.
Utah Mammoth: A diet version of Buffalo in the West — fun, scrappy, and ready to upset some brackets.
New York Islanders: Elite goaltending keeps them relevant, but the rest of the team has been, well… kinda mid at times.
San Jose Sharks: Fun with Macklin Celebrini lighting it up, but probably a year or two from deep contention.
New York Rangers & Toronto Maple Leafs: Right now, both feel cooked. They need more than tweaks — they might need a full remake.
Florida Panthers: Still very good, but suffering a bit of a Kansas City Chiefs‑style down year. Injuries have crushed them, and they may even miss the playoffs this time around.
Final Take
These power rankings reflect not just who’s winning today, but who looks built for tomorrow — teams with momentum, depth, health and playoff savvy rise above the pack. As the Olympic break looms, the Lightning are my No. 1 not because of luck, but because they bring consistency, scoring depth and not‑afraid‑to‑win hockey every night. The Wild and Avs are right there with them, and a strong push after the break could shake up April’s storylines in a big way.
Buckle up — if these rankings are any indication, the second half is going to be chaotic, hilarious and glorious all at once.
Check out all EasySportz NHL Content Here
College Football Viewing Guide
