NHL Power Rankings: Contenders Rise, Blackhawks Battle, and the Canucks Hit Rock Bottom
As we move deeper into the grind of the NHL season, the divide between contenders and pretenders is becoming crystal clear. The latest power rankings reflect not just win-loss records, but how teams are trending: recent form, injury impacts, and the quality of competition all matter. A team’s last 10 games tell us a lot about where they're headed-and right now, some squads are surging while others are spiraling.
Let’s start with one of the most dramatic falls: the Vancouver Canucks. After dropping 11 straight, the team has officially hit the reset button. A fire sale is underway, and with no end in sight to their skid, they find themselves planted at the bottom of the rankings.
Chicago Blackhawks: A Mixed Bag of Missed Chances and Big Moments
Last Week’s Record: 1-2-0
It was a rollercoaster of a week for the Blackhawks, who continue to flirt with the idea of staying in the playoff hunt. But if they’re serious about making a push-or even just staying in the wild card conversation-last week’s results didn’t help their case.
Things started off with a tough loss to the Calgary Flames, the kind of game Chicago simply can’t afford to drop if they want to stay relevant. Then came a matchup with the Boston Bruins, where the Blackhawks came out firing with two quick goals in the first period.
But they couldn’t sustain the momentum, giving up five unanswered and letting another two points slip away. That’s the kind of let-up that can haunt a team come April.
But the week wasn’t without its high points. Jonathan Toews made his emotional return to the United Center, and the crowd showed up in full force to welcome back their former captain.
A nearly four-minute ovation set the tone for a charged-up atmosphere. Add in appearances by Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams, and the energy in the building was electric.
The Blackhawks fed off that energy against the Winnipeg Jets. Spencer Knight stood tall in net, and goals from Jason Dickinson and Connor Bedard (via the empty net) sealed a much-needed win. It was a gutsy performance that kept Winnipeg behind them in the standings-and a reminder that this team still has fight left in them.
Power Rankings: Top to Bottom
- Colorado Avalanche (34-5-8)
Still the team to beat. They’re deep, disciplined, and just keep winning.
- Tampa Bay Lightning (31-13-4) The Bolts are humming along with consistency and firepower.
- Carolina Hurricanes (31-15-4)
Climbing steadily. Their structure and goaltending are playoff-ready.
- Minnesota Wild (28-14-9) A slight dip, but still one of the West’s most complete teams.
- Detroit Red Wings (30-16-4)
They’ve built something real in Detroit. The rebuild is officially over.
- Dallas Stars (28-13-9) A small slide, but still dangerous on both ends of the ice.
- Montreal Canadiens (28-15-7) They’ve found their stride and look like a team that believes.
- Vegas Golden Knights (24-12-12) Quietly staying in the mix with strong depth and goaltending.
- Boston Bruins (28-20-2) That comeback win over Chicago showed their resilience.
- New York Islanders (27-17-5) Slipping a bit, but still holding their own in a tough division.
- Buffalo Sabres (27-17-5)
Trending upward. This team is starting to look dangerous.
- Pittsburgh Penguins (23-14-11)
A five-spot jump, and it’s well-earned. Crosby and company are heating up.
- Edmonton Oilers (25-18-8) Still inconsistent, but the talent is undeniable.
- Toronto Maple Leafs (24-17-8) They need to tighten up defensively if they want to climb higher.
- Utah Mammoth (25-20-4)
Winners of six of their last seven. They’re back in the wild card mix.
- Florida Panthers (25-20-3) A tough stretch, but they’re still the defending champs for a reason.
- Washington Capitals (24-20-6)
A seven-spot drop. They’re struggling to find consistency.
- Philadelphia Flyers (23-17-8) A similar story here-offense has dried up at the wrong time.
- San Jose Sharks (25-21-3) Still in the thick of the Pacific Division race.
- New Jersey Devils (26-22-2) Trending up, and Jack Hughes is starting to take over games again.
- Anaheim Ducks (25-21-3)
After a nine-game skid, they’ve rattled off four straight wins. Big-time turnaround.
- Ottawa Senators (23-19-7) Quietly climbing and playing with more structure.
- Los Angeles Kings (20-16-13) Too many overtime losses are costing them valuable points.
- Columbus Blue Jackets (22-20-7)
Fired their coach, went on a heater, then cooled off. Still unpredictable.
- Nashville Predators (23-22-4) Sliding down, and the offense just hasn’t been there.
- Seattle Kraken (21-18-9)
A brutal eight-spot drop. They need a spark-and fast.
- Calgary Flames (21-23-5) A three-spot bump thanks to some gritty wins.
- Chicago Blackhawks (20-22-7)
Holding steady. They’re showing flashes, but need more consistency.
- New York Rangers (21-24-6)
A 2-7-1 stretch has them plummeting. They’re in freefall.
- Winnipeg Jets (20-23-6) A slight bump, but not enough to inspire confidence.
- **St.
Louis Blues (19-23-8)**
Another tough week.
The Blues are fading fast.
- Vancouver Canucks (16-28-5)
Eleven straight losses. The fire sale has begun.
Metro Mayhem: Rangers, Caps, Flyers All Slide
It’s been a rough stretch for the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers, Capitals, and Flyers all took significant hits in the rankings, and the numbers back it up.
The Rangers have just two wins in their last 10 games (2-7-1), while Washington and Philly aren’t faring much better at 3-6-1. In a hyper-competitive Eastern Conference, those kinds of slumps don’t just hurt-they bury you.
Columbus, meanwhile, looked like they were turning a corner after a coaching change and four straight wins. But a loss to Ottawa cooled them off. The Rangers now find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern standings, a stunning fall for a team that had playoff aspirations.
Mammoth and Ducks: Back from the Brink
The Utah Mammoth are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the league. They’ve gone 6-0-1 in their last seven, and that surge has vaulted them into the top wild card spot in the West. With the Avalanche, Stars, and Wild locking down the Central’s top three, the Mammoth are making their case as the best of the rest.
Then there’s Anaheim. After dropping nine straight, the Ducks have ripped off four wins in a row.
Joel Quenneville’s group is now sitting third in the Pacific, and the race behind them is razor-thin. The Sharks, Kings, and Kraken are all within two points.
Buckle up-this one’s going down to the wire.
What’s Next for the Blackhawks
The upcoming schedule is no joke for Chicago. They’ll kick things off on the road against the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes (Jan. 22), then return home to face the Lightning (Jan. 23) and the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers (Jan.
25). After that, it’s a trip north to take on the Wild (Jan. 27), where they’ll face Quinn Hughes for the first time in his new threads.
If the Blackhawks can squeeze two wins out of this brutal stretch, it’ll be a solid step forward. But they’ll need to bring a full 60-minute effort every night-because against these teams, anything less won’t cut it.