NHL Power Rankings: Week 22
Here we sit just days away from the trade deadline and just 20+/- games away from the start of the 2026 NHL Playoffs. It’s been such a quick season. This Oilers fan is getting onery but we will get through. I hope your team is having the push it needs or is making the best decisions this week to set themselves up for whatever strategy they have.
#16 Ottawa Senators (30-25-5; 65 Points)
Previously #16
Sens still have work to do with the fight over the wildcard as tight as it is. But the likes of the Rangers and Wings can’t seem to stay out of their own way at times. Though the Rangers are climbing!
#15 Calgary Flames (29-23-9; 67 Points)
Previously #16
The Flames have had a very hard road trip and they are still finding ways to win. I hope they don’t think they are a piece away from contending because I think the foundation of this team needs to keep playing and finding more chemistry. A playoff round will do that to a team who didn’t even expect to make it.
#14 Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-8; 68 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Jackets story has been just incredible and they are making the push for the playoffs. They have a positive goal differential and have just played with an unbelievable amount of heart and effort. I love it.
#13 New Jersey Devils (33-24-6; 72 Points)
Unchanged
Injuries may do this team in afterall.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (35-22-4; 74 Points)
Previously #6
Defense? Gone. Offense? Gone. Goaltending? Gone. Physicality? Never there. Struggling superstar? Check. One man carrying the weight of the team? Check. Passengers? A plenty. My mother-in-law’s old china is less fragile than this team right now.
#11 Los Angeles Kings (31-20-8; 70 Points)
Previously #9
Kings have had a tough stretch here but the bones are there. They need to make a deadline move to get some scoring or else they will crumble in Round 1 yet again.
#10 Colorado Avalanche (36-24-2; 74 Points)
Previously #12
Colorado is really starting to find their game and it is looking good for them. The Rantanen trade seems to be doing well for them and I wonder how active they will be this week because they have a chance to make a push.
#9 Minnesota Wild (36-22-4; 76 Points)
Previously #10
Minnesota has been really hanging in there despite all of the injuries. They just seem to pile up. Don’t’ be shocked if they find their way down the standings and rankings over time here.
#8 Carolina Hurricanes (36-22-4; 76 Points)
Previously #7
Canes are hoping things start to fall into place with Rantanen. Or they may actually trade him because they can’t get a deal done. No getting a deal done after this trade would be dismal and Rantanen is still not at his best. I’d be concerned as a Canes fan.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (36-21-4; 76 Points)
Previously #11
The Bolts look incredible again. Nikita Kucherov will hit 100 points shortly here well before the end of the season. The rest of the team has been amazing since the break. The Bolts will play the Leafs in round 1 again won’t they?
#6 Toronto Maple Leafs (38-20-3; 79 Points)
Previously #8
Toronto goes on another tear and we think they will most certainly be a tough out in the playoffs. I am just waiting for that string of games where the city is ready to burn it all down. Oh Toronto.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (36-18-6; 78 Points)
Previously #6
5 of 6 have been wins and they are back atop the Pacific. Jack Eichel has been amazing, but Tomas Hertl has been exceptional this season and especially as of late. They are going to be a tough out for anyone.
#4 Florida Panthers (38-21-3; 79 Points)
Unchanged
Florida puts Matty on LTIR to open up his space to add more. They already make a splash on the weekend bringing in Seth Jones. The Cats are the team to beat in the East, in spite of the Capital torrid run. The Panther are built for another championship.
#3 Dallas Stars (40-19-2; 82 Points)
Unchanged
Dallas has been on a tear since the break and scoring at a great clip. They have tons of space at the deadline to get even better and I think its best used to bolster the back end. This is a team that is probably the biggest threat in the West.
#2 Washington Capitals (39-14-8; 86 Points)
Unchanged
Alex Ovechkin is 11 goals away from breaking the record and has 21 games to do it. I think it happens but at which game will be the most interesting part. Logan Thompson has dropped a few starts here though and will need to find that game as they go into the playoffs to keep this magical run going.
#1 Winnipeg Jets (42-16-4; 88 Points)
Unchanged
The Jets couple losses are acceptable given their stellar play. This is a team I expect to try and add at the deadline to see if they can make a run because this team can be the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since 1993.
In-Season Cup
The Jackets were helping me get back in it until they faced the Mighty Bolts. Its getting down the wire now.