NHL Power Rankings: Avalanche Stay on Top, Blackhawks Show Fight Amid Growing Pains
The NHL power rankings are in, and while the top five teams remain the same from last week, there’s been a bit of reshuffling at the top. The standings are still largely driven by win-loss records, but recent form, injury impact, and strength of schedule are all weighing heavily in the mix. It’s not just about who’s winning - it’s about how they’re doing it, who they’re doing it against, and how they’re trending over the last 10 games.
Let’s break down the week that was, starting in Chicago.
The Blackhawks: A 1-1-2 Week That Showed Grit and Growth
It wasn’t a perfect week for the Blackhawks, but it was far from forgettable. They opened Thanksgiving week with an overtime loss to Minnesota - one of the league’s hottest teams - and then dropped a tight 4-3 contest to Nashville. That game had all the signs of a team still trying to shake off the holiday fog.
But then came the Anaheim comeback.
Down 3-0, Chicago stormed back with five unanswered goals to snap a five-game losing streak. That kind of resilience doesn’t show up in the standings, but it says a lot about where this young team is headed. They capped off the week with a shootout loss to the Golden Knights - a game they played well enough to win.
And through it all, Connor Bedard continues to dazzle. Four goals, three assists this week alone.
He’s not just producing - he’s doing it in style. The NHL named him the Third Star of the Month for November, and it’s easy to see why.
He’s playing with the kind of confidence and flair that makes you forget he’s still a rookie.
Ryan Greene, Bedard’s linemate, is becoming a storyline of his own. Two goals and an assist this week, and more importantly, he’s looking more and more comfortable on that top line. For a team still finding its identity, the chemistry between these two young forwards is a major bright spot.
Power Rankings Snapshot
Here’s how the league stacks up heading into December:
- Colorado Avalanche (19-1-6) - Still the class of the NHL.
Deep, dangerous, and dominant. 2.
Dallas Stars (17-5-5) - Consistent, balanced, and quietly building momentum. 3.
Tampa Bay Lightning (16-8-2) - Veteran savvy and playoff pedigree keep them near the top. 4.
Minnesota Wild (15-7-5) - Surging with a strong two-way game. 5.
Carolina Hurricanes (16-7-2) - As steady as they come, especially on defense.
...
- Chicago Blackhawks (11-9-6) - The record doesn’t jump off the page, but the growth is real. ...
- Calgary Flames (9-15-4) - Still searching for answers at both ends of the ice.
Mammoth and Jets: Skidding at the Wrong Time
It’s been a rough stretch for the Utah Mammoth. Four straight losses and now they’re without their leading scorer, Logan Cooley. That’s a tough blow for a team already struggling to find rhythm.
The Winnipeg Jets haven’t fared much better. They’ve dropped nine of their last thirteen, and the absence of Connor Hellebuyck continues to loom large.
Their goaltending depth is being tested, and so far, the results haven’t been encouraging. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toews’ return hasn’t sparked the impact many hoped for - at least not yet.
Metropolitan Division: A Tightrope Race
The Metropolitan Division is turning into the league’s most intriguing battleground. All eight teams are within five points of each other, making every game feel like a playoff matchup.
The Washington Capitals are riding an NHL-best five-game winning streak, while the Philadelphia Flyers have taken five of their last seven. And here’s a wild stat: the Columbus Blue Jackets, who sit in last place in the Metro, would currently hold a wild card spot in the Western Conference. That’s how stacked this division is.
The question now is whether this level of parity can hold through the grind of the winter months. If it does, the Metro could be the must-watch division down the stretch.
What’s Next for the Blackhawks
Chicago’s west coast swing continues with a pair of games in Los Angeles (Dec. 4 and Dec. 6), followed by a stop in Anaheim (Dec. 7). They’re looking to bounce back against the Kings after a loss earlier this season, and they’ve already beaten the Ducks twice - so confidence should be high.
But don’t overlook the potential for fireworks in Anaheim. There’s some leftover tension between Connor Bedard and Mason McTavish from their last meeting, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that rivalry flares up again. For a young Blackhawks team trying to turn the corner, these next three games could be a tone-setter.
Win two of them, and this road trip becomes a statement.