NHL Power Rankings: Week 17
Its already basically a month into 2026. Time is just flying by. The Avs are on a 4-4-2 run so that is funny. The Oilers are about to passed by the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks (if they aren’t careful). And worst of all, the disgusting Seattle Seahawks are going to win a Super Bowl in Levi’s Stadium. 2026 hasn’t been kind to this writer but there’s still lots of time to turn it around.
#16 San Jose Sharks (26-21-3; 55 Points)
Previously #16
1-1 this week. I am not going to ding the Sharks because they are one of the most fun teams to watch right now. Their games are high event games, and they are starting to actually carry the play on some of these nights. The Rangers game they dominated, granted it’s the Rangers I know. They did get dominated by the Bolts but that’s to be expected. I give them this spot because they are pushing for a spot and they are managing to beat the teams they should if they plan to make a push. Will the Sharks make the playoffs? Probably not but they are playing meaningful games right now and likely will through March…They made a move to add prior to the deadline and adding a type of player they need. This is a fun moment for Sharks fans.
#15 Anaheim Ducks (28-21-3; 59 Points)
Previously Unranked
7 straight for the Ducks and all of a sudden that horrible 9 game slide means nothing. There is a little bit to be concerned about this team. I understand wins are wins but winning games you probably shouldn’t after going on a run has shown to suggest a fall could be coming. They had 20% expected goal differential against the Avs but Dostal was amazing with 40 saves and they found a way to win. And then again against the Flames, they had a sub 40% expected goal differential. The Flames are a bottom feeder and the Ducks struggled to dominate the play. I think the Ducks are going to make the playoffs, but they need to keep that consistent defending going. Like that Seattle game, that is a game they need to bring to every single bad team in the NHL. That being said, they will likely dominate the Oilers tonight and surge up the standing because they have the talent and the goaltending to do so.
#14 Florida Panthers (28-20-3; 59 Points)
Previously Unranked
Florida is coming back into the fray. They have a few teams to jump but this is a team that doesn’t need much before they take a mile. They have been let off the mat and that spells potential misery for other teams as they attempt to climb their way back up.
#13 Utah Mammoth (27-20-4, 58 Points)
Previously #15
5 straight wins for the Utah Mammoth and they have a whopping +22 goal differential. They are very strong at keeping the puck out of their net. They own a 53% expected goal percentage and continue to do it without a major superstar. They suck on the road but they are so good at home. I see a potential playoff berth for this team.
#12 Boston Bruins (30-20-2; 62 Points)
Previously #14
Boston continues to win hockey games and they are finding a path to make the postseason. What does this team do at the deadline is a big question mark and similar to another team in west mentioned above. They have two 1st round picks available but to me, wasting them on a rental would be a mistake. This team has too many flaws to compete in the playoffs and unless you find a player that you can sign long-term, going for it might not payoff. This team is getting it done, let this group live and die by itself…
#11 Edmonton Oilers (26-17-8; 60 Points)
Previously #8
The Oilers have an amazing ability to completely tear down any good will they create in just a week. They have been a step behind most nights and goaltending had a bad week. It will be a worry if they continue down this path. That being said, they were the better team against the Capitals and Evan Bouchard had a historical night scoring 3-3-6 against the Caps. I will say this, the Oilers are certainly in the camp for the most entertaining team in the NHL but they don’t give up Stanley Cups for that.
#10 Montreal Canadiens (28-17-7; 63 Points)
Previously #9
Tough week for the Habs. Cole Caulfield has been playing awesome and we all wonder where Team USA is going to be without Robertson or Caulfield. I am a bit worried about that.
#9 Buffalo Sabres (29-17-5; 63 Points)
Previously #10
The Sabres sitting on my power rankings for multiple weeks is one thing, but them consistently going up is another thing entirely. 3 straight wins again and they continue to build their goal differential. I don’t know what the Sabres will do at the deadline but I have confidence they won’t be sellers…for the first time in forever.
#8 Minnesota Wild (29-14-10; 68 Points)
Previously #7
Minnesota had a good week so its sad they have to drop a spot but that’s more the play of other teams and the Wild recently playing pretty mid. Underlying numbers popped a little with Hughes but have since dropped and they aren’t the top team I expected they would be. The West might be becoming a 2 horse race between Colorado and Dallas right now…
#7 Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-11; 63 Points)
Previously #12
4 straight for the Pens and boy did they get revenge on the Oilers. The Penguins are rolling right now and it seems like they will not going grab a wildcard spot but a divisional spot with potentially home ice in Round 1! Stu Skinner has been just amazing and it makes me happy that’s the case. Jarry was pumped by his old team…its okay though. The Pens have been destroyed by the Oilers for like 8 straight games, it was bound to happen the other way around.
#6 Vegas Golden Knights (25-14-12; 62 Points)
Previously #4
How Mitch Marner and the Leafs is it that when the most hyped game of the season, where Vegas was going into Toronto, turns out to be a dud. The best players on the Leafs didn’t show up and Mitch Marner had a single shot on the night. Just goes to show that the Leaf (current/former) who can get up for big games is Zachary Martin Hyman…
#5 Dallas Stars (29-14-9; 67 Points)
Previously #6
The January for the Stars will be a forgotten month. They looked bad. Luckily for them the rest of their division is so bad they didn’t lose much. The Wild didn’t take advantage and Dallas, on paper and by pedigree suggests they are a Cup Contender. No bad January is going to change that fact. Now they had a great week this past week. If they turn around and fall back to that January play, we might have a problem.
#4 Detroit Red Wings (32-16-5; 69 Points)
Previously #5
The Red Wings will make the playoffs…the drought is over and I am calling it now. Their path to taking on the top spot is still there even but they will need Tampa to fall apart a little bit. They are dominant at home and on the road. The tandem of John Gibson and Cam Talbot has been fantastic. This team is destined to finally making the postseason.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (32-15-5; 69 Points)
Unchanged
The Canes have been the best 5 on 5 team throughout the season, which is not uncharacteristic. They were challenged by the Senators but then they had their start netminder in Brandon Bussi show what he can do and steal a game. Goaltending has been a question for this team in the playoffs alongside their lack of elite scoring…maybe the goaltending question will be put to rest here.
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning (32-14-4; 68 Points)
Unchanged
One of the crazier games you’ll see against the Jackets that resulted in a loss but I don’t knock them for that given their incredible stretch. Given the injuries this team has faced, their run has been nothing short of amazing.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (35-6-9; 79 Points)
Unchanged
Literally ditto from last week…