NHL Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First

NHL Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First. NHL Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First Week 2.

NHL Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First

The 2025 NHL Season has just begun. Even though some teams may have only played two games through the opening week, it is time to update our power rankings. Who has gotten to an impressive start? Let us know where we went wrong in the comments!

Note – All Statistics/Records are Updated as of Monday, 10/13 AM

No. 32 - Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres did not get off to the best start, as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with the league’s worst goal differential (-6). In their opening game, they lost 4-0 to the New York Rangers. In Game 2, they were able to score their first goal but fell 3- 1 to the Boston Bruins. Their lone goal scorer this week was Jason Zucker.

No. 31 - San Jose Sharks

The Sharks found themselves in two “entertaining” losses in the opening week. While they lost both in overtime, they showed the potential to compete. In the first game, they blew a late lead to the Golden Knights before losing in overtime. Then in Game 2, they put six goals on the board, but were unable to contain the Anaheim Ducks, who scored seven goals. Both Alex Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov looked overmatched in their season debuts.

No. 30 - Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks dropped each of their first three games but were able to sneak out with an overtime point during their loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday evening. Through three games, Connor Bedard has already found the back of the net twice, while Frank Nazar has tallied four assists. Even though they have yet to find themselves in the win column, they have lost each game only by one goal.

No. 29 - New York Islanders

The Islanders are one of three teams in the Eastern Conference to drop both of their opening games. They lost a close game (4-3) to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday evening and then lost 4-2 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday evening. While they were unable to find their footing in Week 1, former first overall pick Matthew Schaefer looked the part, tallying an assist in the opener and scoring his first career goal in their second contest.

No. 28 - Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers went 0-1-1 in the opening week but faced two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. In Game 1, they narrowly lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 2-1. Then on Saturday evening, they picked up their first point of the campaign in a 4-03 loss to the Hurricanes in overtime. While their offense did not light up the scoreboard in either game, both goaltenders, Dan Vladar and Samuel Ersson, looked rather impressive in these tough matchups. Second-year winger Matvei Mitchkov did not tally a point in each game.

No. 27 - Calgary Flames

The Flames began their season by picking up a shootout over their longtime rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. However, they would then lose each of their next two games to the Canucks and the Blues. Outside of their three goals showing in the opening game, the Flames were unable to hit this mark in each of their next two games. 24-year-old netminder Dustin Wolf enters Week 2 holding a modest 3.98 GAA.

No. 26 - Anaheim Ducks

After scoring only one goal in their season-opening loss to the Kraen, the Ducks bounced back in a big way, dominating their thrilling 7-6 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday evening. Both budding stars, Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish, led the way in this victory as both tallied three points each. Veteran Chris Kreider has settled in quite nicely with his new club, scoring two goals in Week 1.

No. 25 - Tampa Bay Lightning

Even though it has just been two games, the Tampa Bay Lightning do not look very impressive. They surrendered an eye-catching 10 goals through this first week. However, their offense has remained remarkably productive, scoring seven goals over this stretch. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stumbled in both outings, posting a hefty 4.66 GAA while stopping just 53 of his 62 shots. While this was not the ideal start, expect the “Big Cat” to return to form before the end of the month.

No. 24 - Nashville Predators

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Predators enjoyed a solid start to the young season. In the first game, Juuse Saros led the way and stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced, defeating the Blue Jackets. In their second game, they fell to the Utah Mmaomth in overtime. Seeing Saros stop 57 of the first 61 shots is an excellent sign for this team to bounce back.

No. 23 - Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks had a mixed bag of results in Week 1. After dominating the Flames in their season opener and picking up a strong 5-1 victory, they dropped a tough loss in their second game to the Edmonton Oilers (3-1). The Canucks turned to Thatcher Demko to start both games, and he looked strong, holding a .944% SV% and stopping 51 of his 54 shots.

No. 22 - Utah Mammoth

In the preseason power rankings, I noted that Karel Vejmelka would be the key to the Utah Mammoth making a run this season. Through the penning week, the netminder has lived up to expectations, stopping 35 of the 39 shots he saw before posting a 1-1 record. On offense, Dylan Guenther has led the way, scoring two goals and tallying three points (through two games).

No. 21 - Ottawa Senators

The Senators posted a 1-1 record in the opening week but struggled on the defensive side of the game in both games. In their victory, they defeated the Lightning by a score of 5-4. Then in Game 2, they lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 6-2.

Linus Ullmark stumbled in both outings, posting an ugly .860% SV%. On offense, Shane Pinto led the way, scoring four goals and adding one assist. While their offense is looking impressive, they will need to improve their subpar defense and goaltending to move higher on this ranking.

No. 20 - Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings were another team that had mixed results in their opening week. They began the season by taking a tough 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. In Game 2, they were able to bounce back and upset the Maple Leafs (6-3) to earn their first victory of the campaign.

John Gibson stumbled in his Red Wings debut as he was pulled early after allowing five goals to the Canadiens. He is a name to watch as the Wings could pivot to a committee in the net.

No. 19 - New Jersey Devils

The Devils had two difficult matches in the first week but were able to escape with a 1-1 record. After losing their first game to the Carolina Hurricanes, they bounced back in Game 2, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 5-3. Defenseman Luke Hughes has needed to contribute to this season, dishing out four assists from the blue line.

Hughes appears poised for a massive breakout campaign, serving as the top defender on the first pairing and on the power-play.

No. 18 - St. Louis Blues

The Blues got off to a rough start, dropping their first game to the Wild (by a score of 5-0), but were able to flip the script in their second contest. In their victory over the Flames, the Blues punched in four goals and allowed only two. Robert Thomas led the offense in this game, tallying two points.

The Blues will need netminder Jordan Binnington to find his footing for the team to remain competitive this season. However, No. 2 netminder Joel Hofer flashed upside in their lone victory, which is a positive sign.

No. 17- Montreal Canadiens

The Candiens bounce back nicely after dropping their season opener to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In their next two games, they would pick up two victories, against the Red Wings and the Blackhawks, respectively. While Nick Suzuki did not find the back of the net this week, he made a large impact, tallying five helpers.

While Sam Montembeault started two of the games, Jakub Dobes was very effective when called on to face the Red Wings, as he stopped 30 of the 31 shots he saw.

No. 16 - Columbus Blue Jackets

After a tough loss in the opener to the Predators, the Blue Jackets finished the week on a high note, defeating the Wild by a score of 7-4. Breakout winger Kirill Marchenko and star defender Zach Werenski led the way in this victory. Marchenko tallied a hat trick while Werenski chipped in a goal and an assist of his own.

However, they will need stable play from netminder Elvis Merzlikins to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.

No. 15 - Los Angeles Kings

The Kings enter Week 2 holding a modest 1-2 record. However, they faced three of the top teams in the conference and did not fall too much in our rankings. Their lone victory came against the Vegas Golden Knights in a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory on Wednesday evening. However, the Kings will need to solidify their defense as they currently hold a disappointing -3 goal differential.

No. 14 - Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins began to turn some heads in the opening week. They secured a victory in each of their first two games before dropping their third game on Saturday evening. Evgeni Malkin, despite playing in his age-39 season, is leading the offense, tallying five points (all helpers), while Justin Brazeau has scored three goals in his first three games in Western P.A.

No. 13 - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs went 1-1 through their first two games with Mitch Marner. In his absence, Williams Nylander has made the most significant impact, scoring four points (one goal). It will be worth monitoring Auston Matthews’ production this season without Marner, as he is slated to play alongside Mattew Knies and Matias Maccelli.

Netminder Anthony Stolarz figures to remain the primary goaltender as Joseph Woll is sidelined on the IR. Through two games, he posted a solid .906% SV% with a 3.05 GAA.

No. 12 - Minnesota Wild

The Wild have lit up the scoreboard in the opening week, tallying nine goals, but hold a 1-1 record. In their season opener, Filip Gustavsson led the way in his 26-save shutout, defeating the Blues. While they took the loss to the Blue Jackets on Saturday, they still scored four goals.

Star winger Kirill Kaprizov has wasted little time making a mark after inking his massive contract in September, as he has scored two goals and added four assists. Matt Boldy could also be in the midst of a breakout campaign as he has tallied six points (two goals) through two games.

No. 11 - Seattle Kraken

The Kraken took care of bsuiens in both games in the opening week. They began their season by defeating the Ducks (3-1) and then defeating the Golden Knights by a 2-1 score in overtime. Goaltender Joey Daccord was the story in both games as he stopped 61 of the 62 shots he saw this week. While their offense still needs improvement, Daccord is developing into a reliable No. 1 goaltender.

No. 10 - New York Rangers

The Rangers had minimal growing pains adjusting to the Mike Sullivan system. After losing their season opener to the Pittsburgh Penguins, they rebounded in Games 2 and 3, defeating the Buffalo Sabres and getting some revenge over the Penguins. While they dropped their final game of the week against the Captials, they dominated the contest.

The Rangers have turned to Igor Shesterkin to man the crease in their first three games, and he has looked like his dominant self, posting an elite 0.67 GAA with a .976% SV%. If he can return to Vezina form, this Ranger team could be a serious contender.

No. 9 - Washington Capitals

After a tough loss to the Boston Bruins, the Capitals bounced back to pick up a victory over the Islanders in the second game. Despite falling short to the Bruins, they dominated the shots and looked just as dominant as they did last season.

In their victory over the Islanders, Aliaksei Protas led the way, netting two goals and adding one helper. Protas scored 30 goals last season and could be in line to top this total in 2025. In their victory on Sunday against the Rangers, Charlie Lindgren led the way, posting an impressive 35-save shutout.

No. 8 - Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins made a statement in the first week of this season. After falling short of expectations in 2024, the Bruins picked up victories in each of their first three games. The main storyline has been the turnaround of goaltender Jeremy Swayman. After having the worst season in his career in 2024, Swayman has posted a 2-0 record while stopping 56 of the 58 shots he saw.

If Swayman can return to 2023 form, the Bruins should remain in the playoff race.

No. 7- Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets had a disappointing showing in the season opener, falling 5-4 to the Stars, but were able to pick up a victory in their second game to enter Week 2 with a .500 record. In the season opener, the reigning Veznia winner struggled, allowing five goals.

However, he quickly returned to form in their second contest, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he saw en route to defeating the Los Angeles Kings. The Jets remain an elite team in the Western Conference.

No. 6- Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights were among the teams to play three games in the opening week. All three of their games went to overtime, but they were only able to finish one of them with a victory. Offseason acquisition Mitch Marner has yet to score a goal but has added two helpers.

Much of the offensive damage has been done by Pavel Dorofeyev and Jack Eichel, who have combined for a hefty seven goals and five helpers.

No. 5 - Dallas Stars

The Stars took down two Central Division heavyweights, the Jets and the Avalanche, in the opening week. In their first game, they defeated the Jets by a score of 5-4. In Game 2, they narrowly defeated the Avalanche in a 5-4 shootout victory. While Jake Oettinger has struggled through the early part of the campaign, the offense has picked up the slack.

Mikko Rantanen has totaled four points, and Jason Robertson has already found the back of the net twice.

No. 4 - Edmonton Oilers

After dropping their season opener to the Flames in a shootout, the Oilers picked up a decisive 3-1 victory over the Cancuks on Saturday evening. Leon Draisaitl has already scored a goal in each contest, and captain Connor McDavid has tallied three helpers. A story to follow is their goalie situation.

No. 2 option, Calvin Pickard stopped 14 of the 15 shots he saw in his victory over the Canucks and could challenge Stuart Skinner for the starter’s spot, as he surrendered three goals on just 22 shots in their first game.

No. 3 - Carolina Hurricanes

While the Hurricanes surrendered three goals in each of their first two games, they enter Week 2 with a perfect 2-0 record. In their season opener, the Hurricanes scored six goals against the Devils, and were led by emerging winger Seth Jarvis, who scored two.

In their victory over the Flyers, Jarvis scored his third goal of the campaign and added five additional shots on goal.

No. 2 - Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, posting a 2-0-1 record. After picking up two straight victories (against the Kings and Mammoth), they fell just short to the Dallas Stars in a shootout on Saturday evening. Nathan MacKinnon has put himself as an early favorite for the Hart Trophy as he has tallied six points (two goals, two power-play points) through the first week.

The Avalanche were also without top goal Mackenzie Blackwood, who could return in the coming days, and make this team even stronger.

No. 1- Florida Panthers

Without a doubt, the 3-0 Panthers remain in the top spot. Without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers were able to pick up three straight victories in demanding fashion. Sergei Bobrovsky has started in each of the three games and posted an elite .925% with a 1.68 GAA.

Even while undermanned, the Panthers are the clear favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup once again.