{"id":430612,"date":"2026-01-27T13:09:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T13:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/430612\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:09:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T13:09:23","slug":"nhl-power-rankings-32-teams-ranked-from-worst-to-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/430612\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Power Rankings, 32 teams ranked from worst to first"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NHL is through 16 weeks of the regular season. The Colorado Avalanche have a strong lead in the league, but the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes continue their strong play. The Vancouver Canucks increase their likelihood of having the best odds in the upcoming draft, and the Dallas Stars have found themselves in a tough situation. The Stars were one of the best teams in the league but have struggled of late. Now is the time for the front office to acquire help and get Dallas back on track. Here are the NHL team power rankings heading into Week 17.<\/p>\n

32. Vancouver Canucks<\/p>\n

Vancouver is going nowhere fast. The front office is looking to the future and hoping to land the top pick in the upcoming draft. The Canucks rank 29th in goals scored and 32nd in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

31. St. Louis Blues<\/p>\n

The Blues\u2019 offense is one of the league\u2019s worst. They rank 32nd in goals scored per game. St. Louis is headed for a fire sale at the trade deadline. Now is the time to stockpile draft assets for the future.<\/p>\n

30. Winnipeg Jets\"\"Jan 22, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) ducks from a shot on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during a game against the Florida Panthers in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Winnipeg has yet to right the ship, and most of its issues start on the away ice. The Jets are one of the league\u2019s worst in away games. The team\u2019s goalies rank 18th in goals allowed per game, but the offense ranks 22nd in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

29. Calgary Flames<\/p>\n

Calgary\u2019s goaltending is the main reason for the team\u2019s success. The Flames\u2019 goaltenders rank 11th in goals allowed per game. Offense has been an ongoing issue, and Calgary ranks 31st in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

28. New York Rangers<\/p>\n

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin was injured, and the team started its downward spiral. Shesterkin led one of the league\u2019s best goaltending units, but the team ranks 21st in goals allowed per game. The offense hasn\u2019t helped, ranked 27th in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

27. Chicago Blackhawks<\/p>\n

Connor Bedard missed time from December 13th to January 8th. Since returning on January 9th, the team has won three of eight games. The young Chicago team needs additional players to step up.<\/p>\n

26. Nashville Predators<\/p>\n

Nashville has played well over the past 10 games. However, goaltending remains an issue. The team ranks 29th in goals allowed per game compared to 23rd in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

25. San Jose Sharks<\/p>\n

If San Jose can fix its goaltending woes, the team can go on a run. Center Macklin Celebrini is single-handedly keeping the Sharks in play for a Wild Card spot. The team\u2019s goaltenders rank 30th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

24. Columbus Blue Jackets\"\"Jan 24, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (facing) celebrates with Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) following the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Columbus has gained ground over its last 10 games but continues to struggle away from home ice. The Blue Jackets rank 19th in goals scored and 25th in goals allowed per game. There is a chance they sneak into a Wild Card spot.<\/p>\n

23. Seattle Kraken<\/p>\n

The Kraken have hit a rough stretch and have dropped valuable points. The team\u2019s issues arise from the league\u2019s 25th\u2013ranked offense. Seattle\u2019s goaltenders rank 12th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

22. Los Angeles Kings<\/p>\n

The Kings are in a rut and struggle on home ice. Winning at home will increase the likelihood of the team finding itself in the playoffs. Los Angeles\u2019 goaltenders rank 4th in goals allowed per game, but the offense ranks 30th in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

21. Ottawa Senators<\/p>\n

The Senators play in the league\u2019s only division where each team has reached at least 50 points. This doesn\u2019t help Ottawa\u2019s chances of making a playoff push. The team ranks 12th in goals scored and 28th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

20. New Jersey Devils<\/p>\n

The Devils are treading water, and their goaltenders have kept them in contention for wins. New Jersey\u2019s goaltenders rank 15th in goals allowed per game. The team\u2019s offense must improve, as it ranks 28th in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

19. Toronto Maple Leafs\"\"Jan 10, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) waits for the faceoff against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Leafs are trying to go on a run, but road losses are preventing success. Toronto\u2019s offense is producing and ranks 8th in goals scored per game. However, goaltending is an issue, and the team ranks 26th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

18. Philadelphia Flyers<\/p>\n

Philadelphia is hanging around, but the team is average. The Flyers rank 20th in goals scored and goals allowed per game. The front office must acquire offensive help.<\/p>\n

17. Washington Capitals<\/p>\n

Washington is struggling, but this isn\u2019t uncommon. In recent seasons, the Capitals have repeated such play before going on a hot streak. The team ranks 13th in goals scored and 10th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

16. Utah Mammoth<\/p>\n

Utah has secured valuable points over the last 10 games and ranks 4th in the Central Division. The team\u2019s goaltenders have played well, ranking 5th in goals allowed per game. The Mammoth are a team to watch as the season enters crunch time.<\/p>\n

15. Anaheim Ducks<\/p>\n

Anaheim is gaining ground and sits three points behind first in the Pacific Division. The glaring issue is goaltending. The Ducks\u2019 goaltenders rank 31st in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

14. Florida Panthers<\/p>\n

Matthew Tkachuk has returned, and Florida is ready to go on a run. Tkachuk\u2019s return will help the Panthers\u2019 offense, which ranks 21st in goals scored per game. However, the team\u2019s goaltending must improve as they rank 23rd in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

13. New York Islanders<\/p>\n

The Islanders have remained consistent through 16 weeks of the regular season. The team\u2019s goaltending has played well and ranks 5th in goals allowed per game. New York can use a boost on offense.<\/p>\n

12. Edmonton Oilers\"NHLOct 4, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. | Bob Frid-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Oilers are keeping pace with Vegas. Edmonton has started its push for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The Oilers\u2019 goaltending has improved and now ranks 22nd in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

11. Vegas Golden Knights<\/p>\n

The Golden Knights are doing their best to hold the top spot in the Pacific Division. The team has done well over the last 10 games. Vegas ranks 4th in goals scored and 14th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

10. Boston Bruins<\/p>\n

Boston\u2019s gained traction over its last 10 games. Unfortunately, the four teams ahead of them continue to play well. The Bruins rank 9th in goals scored and 19th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

9. Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n

The Canadiens are making life difficult for the rest of the Atlantic Division. They have played consistent hockey for 16 weeks. The team\u2019s glaring issue is goaltending.<\/p>\n

8. Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh\u2019s hot stretch has them six points behind Carolina for the Metropolitan Division lead. After righting the ship, the Penguins rank 10th in goals scored and 9th in goals allowed per game. The front office will add key pieces at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

7. Buffalo Sabres\"\"Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) makes a save against the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Over the past two months, Buffalo has been on a tear. The team sits 3rd in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres rank 7th in goals scored and 15th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

6. Dallas Stars<\/p>\n

The Stars have struggled over the last 10 games. The front office must make moves as the trade deadline approaches. The team\u2019s goaltending ranks 3rd in goals allowed per game compared to 11th in goals scored per game. Trade deadline acquisitions can help improve the league\u2019s 16th\u2013ranked penalty kill unit.<\/p>\n

5. Minnesota Wild<\/p>\n

Minnesota trails Colorado in the Central Division but continues to play great hockey. The team ranks 16th in goals scored and 8th in goals allowed per game. The Wild will make the division a close race as the regular season plays out.<\/p>\n

4. Tampa Bay Lightning<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay is one of the league\u2019s hottest teams. The Lightning are doing their best to overtake Detroit for the Atlantic Division lead. The Lightning rank 2nd in goals scored and goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

3. Detroit Red Wings<\/p>\n

Detroit has done its best to keep its lead in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning have been hot, but the Red Wings are doing their best to increase production. Detroit ranks 17th in goals scored and 13th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

2. Carolina Hurricanes\"\"Dec 18, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) is congratulated after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Carolina continues to lead the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is catching up, but the team shows no signs of slowing down. The Hurricanes rank 3rd in goals scored and 7th in goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

1. Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

Throughout 16 weeks, no team is close to Colorado. The Avalanche are the league\u2019s best team and rightfully so. Colorado ranks 1st in goals scored and goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n

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