NHL power rankings: The Vancouver Canucks are finally playing well without Hughes
We’re back with what is easily the most anticipated cultural moment of the past 24 hours, another Daily Faceoff power rankings! Why is it so anticipated? Because this will be the last time you hear from myself and Hunter Crowther for three whole weeks as teams break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament! Whether you wait on every word of ours or are sick of reading our thoughts, we really need to go out with a bang this week.
Hunter and I continue to navigate through the results so far this season with another week of our co-op power rankings. I have my same old system in which I aggregate six stats (points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick) to come up with a list that eliminates my own biases, along with a rule that no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead of them in the standings, regardless of where the aggregate places them. On the other hand, Hunter goes off his own intellect and pure vibes, and together, we find a way to combine it and meet in the middle.
1. Washington Capitals
Record: 36-11-8, +56
Last Week: 2nd (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 2nd
Scott’s Rank: 1st
Scott: As much as I give the Jets a hard time, the Capitals are of a similar ilk to me in terms of being a team that I don’t exactly believe in as a Cup contender due to some unsustainable natures of their game (mostly their goaltending covering up where they’ve lacked defensively). Still, considering preseason expectations, it’s quite impressive how they continue to go toe-to-toe points-wise with the Jets, including their current six-game point streak that’s only seen them win three of the games.
Hunter: I’m going to ask this of everyone following Alex Ovechkin’s all-time goal chase: stop talking about empty nets, or how many empty net goals he scores, or if it matters if his record-breaking goal is an empty netter. People: they’re goals, and all look the same on the scoresheet and in the record books. The Capitals are a team that got smoked in the first round of the playoffs last season, and weren’t expected to make the playoffs: now they’re one of hockey’s best and their captain is about to break one of the sport’s most glorious records. Ovechkin scoring an empty net goal shouldn’t be forced into every conversation.
Scott: I slightly waiver on this topic. If a team wins 5-2 with two empty net goals, it’s a 3-2 win in my eyes. If a player scores a hat trick with an empty net goal or two, they didn’t score a hat trick. If a player has 15-20 empty net points in a 100-point season, I’ll look at that season a little bit differently. That said, a record is a record, and Ovechkin should use whatever methods he can to get there, especially since Wayne Gretzky basically shot at an empty net for half of his career. That said, once Ovi gets within one, do not get him close to the ice when the other team’s goalie is pulled. Tying and breaking the record just won’t hit the same if it’s not from his office just outside the faceoff circle.
Hunter: But it is a 5-2 win. It is a hat trick. It is a 100-point season. If it was so easy to get a shot on net in an NHL game, then every team would get well over 50 every night. To navigate through six players wearing opposing sweaters and getting even an attempt on the net is an accomplishment, and if everyone could score empty net goals, they would. Hell, if anything, it’s a credit to Ovechkin that the team wants him out there on the ice to clear the zone when the opponent throws everything at you. Now you’re right in that if the goal that passes Gretzky is an empty netter, it’ll be the only thing anyone talks about. All I want is for people to talk about the goals, and Ovechkin’s greatness, and Gretzky’s. Not something arbitrary.
2. Winnipeg Jets
Record: 39-14-3, +68
Last Week: 1st (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 1st
Scott’s Rank: 2nd
Scott: All season, I’ve talked about the Jets as a team that has holes at 5v5 that make me bearish on them as a Stanley Cup contender, and I’d probably remain there if they don’t improve on their 5v5 play. Well, they now find themselves 10th in 5v5 expected goals against per 60 minutes, and their 5v5 expected goals for per 60 is 14th. There are still quite a few more teams I like more than them, but they’re getting closer, and we’ll see how things change after the break, especially with their eight-game winning streak.
Hunter: Every time there’s one of these “best on best” tournaments, a few players break out and strengthen their reputation among fans and writers. In the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, I think it’ll be Kyle Connor. It’s no secret he’s one of hockey’s best snipers, and while he may be closer to the slightly one-dimensional elk of offensive player, seeing him score goals in a top-line role with the U.S. will be his true coming out party.
3. Edmonton Oilers
Record: 34-17-4, +30
Last Week: 3rd (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 3rd
Scott’s Rank: 3rd
Hunter: This year’s format of best-on-best hockey might end up benefiting the Oilers in the long run. Sure, Connor McDavid, the game’s best player, will be leading the way for Canada, but beyond Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm, Edmonton’s best players will get to rest the next few weeks. But let’s be honest: if we’re gonna call this best-on-best, they should have created Team Europe so the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Anze Kopitar, David Pastrnak could take part in it. Everyone waxes poetic about Team North America from the 2016 World Cup, but you can’t tell me you didn’t love seeing Mats Zuccarello and Tomas Tatar beat Sweden in overtime and give Canada a scare.
Scott: I also think playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament might help McDavid in the long run as well. His six points since returning from his suspension feels a bit too human for his standards, and it gets even worse when you realize that only one of those points came at 5v5. Perhaps donning the red leaf in a best-on-best tournament for the first time might give him the kick in the butt he needs for the final stretch of the season.
4. Dallas Stars
Record: 35-18-2, +43
Last Week: 4th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 5th
Scott’s Rank: 4th
Hunter: The Stars came into the week with a five-game winning streak, but were outplayed by both the Ducks and Kings, gaining just one point between the two games. They ended their California road trip against the Sharks, laying an 8-3 beatdown that saw Matt Duchene score two goals and an assist, continuing to drink from the fountain of youth. Credit to Jamie Benn, who has points in four straight games and, while he’s taken a step back offensively, is still bringing something to the lineup at 35.
5. Florida Panthers
Record: 34-20-3, +27
Last Week: 5th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 4th
Scott’s Rank: 5th
Scott: The Panthers have now won 8 of their last 11 games, and the list of teams to beat them during this stretch is a strong one: the Kings, the Golden Knights and the Capitals. Any concerns that I had about Florida earlier in the season are gone, as they have turned on that gear again and, dare I say, might be the actual best team in the league again. I’m intrigued to see what they do at the deadline, because a smart addition or two will make this team a nightmare to play against, even in an Eastern Conference that has become an arms race early on.
6. New Jersey Devils
Record: 31-20-6, +33
Last Week: 7th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 7th
Scott’s Rank: 6th
Scott: The Devils have continued to be streaky in recent weeks, highlighted by their past week that’s seen them beat weaker teams in the Penguins and Canadiens but then lose to the Golden Knights. The more concerning factor about this team is their play under the hood. Barely a month ago, they were in the top five in both 5v5 xGF/60 and xGA/60. Now, they’re only 10th and 7th in those respective stats. Injuries have been a problem, especially with Nico Hischier out, but they need to find some way to get out of this stretch.
7. Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 33-17-6, +30
Last Week: 8th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 6th
Scott’s Rank: 8th
Scott: The Golden Knights didn’t get off to the best start to their four-game road trip out East, dropping back-to-back games to the Rangers and Islanders. But they managed to bounce back with a strong win over a struggling Devils squad and then came back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Bruins in their final game before the break. Vegas had been a bit inconsistent before the road trip as well, so maybe those two wins will turn things around once the NHL schedule resumes in a couple of weeks.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Record: 33-19-4, +30
Last Week: 6th (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 8th
Scott’s Rank: 7th
Hunter: The Hurricanes snapped a three-game slide with a 7-3 win over Utah on Saturday. I’m not the first to notice that Mikko Rantanen has just one goal in six games, but I might be the first to say that … it doesn’t matter, he’ll find his game. Players like Rantanen are too good to not be able to adapt. I wasn’t skeptical over Seth Jarvis being named to Canada’s 4 Nations roster. But, with a two-goal, four-point performance in his last game before the tournament, the next two weeks could be a coming-out party for hockey fans who don’t realize just how good he is – or how good he’s going to be.
9. Los Angeles Kings
Record: 29-17-7, +15
Last Week: 11th (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 10th
Scott’s Rank: 9th
Hunter: With the return of Drew Doughty and his subsequent naming to Canada’s 4 Nations roster, seeing him log big minutes at 35 reminded me of what a treat it is to watch him play hockey. Everything about the future Hall of Famer is smooth, no panic or worry about where the puck is going next. If the neutral zone is clogged or he can’t find a seam to pass through, he just skates back, head always up. Having that combination of patience and all-world offensive talent on the blue line is so rare, and even in his 17th season, what Doughty brings to a Kings lineup attempting to solidify its playoff spot is more valuable than any chart or what any old-school scout’s notepad could quantify.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 33-20-2, +13
Last Week: 10th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 9th
Scott’s Rank: 12th
Hunter: All things considered, a successful road trip for the Maple Leafs, earning six of a possible eight points and staying within three points of first place in the Atlantic Division. But watching those games and rewatching them with hindsight, it was six points Toronto was lucky to get. They beat up on a rusty Flames squad thanks to a William Nylander hat trick, and they looked out of sorts against a struggling Kraken lineup. The chickens came home to roost Saturday against the Canucks, as Vancouver looked in control for most of the night. It was the last game before a two-week break, but all the points count in the standings. Right now, the Leafs are a good team that’s short of being great. Just how short they are has yet to be determined.
11. Minnesota Wild
Record: 33-19-4, +4
Last Week: 9th (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 11th
Scott’s Rank: 11th
Scott: The Wild certainly have been inconsistent ever since Kirill Kaprizov went down with another injury. They won the first two games over the Maple Leafs and Canadiens, only allowing one goal between them, were then shut out in back-to-back games by the Senators and Bruins, and then bounced back with wins over the Hurricanes and Islanders right before the break. You’ll certainly take a 4-2-0 record without your Hart-caliber forward, and it will be interesting to see how much longer Kaprizov will be out when we get back from the 4 Nations Face-Off.
12. Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 31-20-4, +44
Last Week: 13th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 12th
Scott’s Rank: 10th
Hunter: The Lightning have won four straight, and they’ve scored at least five in their last three. I made an effort to watch their games this week against the Sens, Red Wings, and Canadiens, and the same thing is clear every game: everyone does their job. Brandon Hagel is a hunter, relentless on the puck; Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point throw everything on net, and Nikita Kucherov feeds pucks like he’s a lunch lady. With their whole roster playing in the 4 Nations – just kidding, only six players and their head coach – it’ll only remind hockey fans that Tampa Bay still has plenty to offer.
13. Colorado Avalanche
Record: 33-22-2, +12
Last Week: 12th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 13th
Scott’s Rank: 13th
Scott: We’re now a bit over two weeks removed from the Avalanche moving on from Mikko Rantanen, and the team is 5-3-0 in that span. That’s probably about what you should expect from a team with Stanley Cup aspirations that just moved on from a long-time key cog in their system at this point, as they find out how to play without him. But Martin Necas has fit like a glove alongside Nathan MacKinnon, with 4 goals and 9 points through his first eight games, so that has to be an encouraging sign for Colorado.
Hunter: It’s funny. For so much of the season, I had it in my head that since they had both MacKinnon and Cale Makar, this team was better than what they really are, even when they had Rantanen. But with a power play and penalty kill, that’s right in the middle of the league, and everyone up front after Artturi Lehkonen is, well, just okay. Casey Mittelstadt isn’t what Colorado hoped for, or at least not yet. Whatever happens the rest of this season, the 2025-26 campaign could be a chance to hit the reset button.
14. Vancouver Canucks
Record: 26-18-11, -11
Last Week: 21st (+7)
Hunter’s Rank: 14th
Scott’s Rank: 15th
Hunter: Selfishly, I’m mad that Quinn Hughes will miss a chance to play alongside his brother Jack at the 4 Nations tournament, partly because of what a special player he is, partly because when we call it “best on best,” it should be exactly that. But in the long run, we should credit the Canucks’ captain for seeing the forest for the trees, knowing that he and his health will be the main reason Vancouver plays hockey beyond mid April. Also, in the four games he’s missed, the team is 3-1-0. A healthy Canucks lineup could do some damage in the last quarter of the season.
15. Boston Bruins
Record: 27-24-6, -25
Last Week: 16th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 17th
Scott’s Rank: 14th
Scott: After a good start to the week with a 3-0 win over the Wild, the Bruins went into the break in a tough way by blowing a 2-1 lead to the Rangers and a 3-1 lead to the Golden Knights. It’s been ugly under the hood for Boston as well, and they’re currently the only team in the wild card race to play 57 games, so the odds of them bouncing back just keep getting smaller and smaller. Never count out the Bruins, but it’s not looking great.
16. Ottawa Senators
Record: 29-23-4, +2
Last Week: 15th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 16th
Scott’s Rank: 18th
Hunter: After winning five straight, the Sens lost three in a row, including a pair of lopsided defeats to the Panthers and Lightning. Ottawa goes into the international break holding on to the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and Linus Ullmark looked strong in his two return starts, stopping 34 and 43 shots, respectively. If Ottawa had their way, Ullmark wouldn’t play a minute at the 4 Nations; however, maybe Brady Tkachuk will thrive at the tournament and return as the player he was in the last two seasons.
17. New York Rangers
Record: 27-24-4, -3
Last Week: 19th (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 15th
Scott’s Rank: 19th
Scott: The Rangers haven’t exactly been a model of consistency in recent weeks, but that’s also not a bad thing for them this season because before, they were just consistently bad. Still, they’ve crept back into the playoff race, and with J.T. Miller infused into the lineup, their dynamic power play (when it’s on its game), a defenseman like Adam Fox, and a goalie like Igor Shesterkin, anything is possible.
18. New York Islanders
Record: 25-23-7, -10
Last Week: 18th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 18th
Scott’s Rank: 16th
Hunter: With Mathew Barzal out for at least six weeks, it’s gotta be over for the Islanders, right? Right?! I know, they’re just four points out, and with inconsistent teams like the Bruins, Red Wings, Blue Jackets and Rangers between them a Wild Card spot, anything is possible. But with wild trade rumors coming out of Long Island and fans seemingly divided on social media over whether to be buyers or sellers, it’s not a good time to be an Islanders fan.
19. Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 26-22-8, -2
Last Week: 14th (-5)
Hunter’s Rank: 19th
Scott’s Rank: 17th
Hunter: Losers of four straight, this Blue Jackets squad is without Sean Monahan, Boone Jenner, and Kirill Marchenko and was also briefly without Zach Werenski, so a two-week break couldn’t have come at a better time. This team comes back on February 22 with a game against the basement-dwelling Blackhawks, a perfect opportunity to get back in the winner’s column.
20. Detroit Red Wings
Record: 28-22-5, -11
Last Week: 20th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 22nd
Scott’s Rank: 21st
Scott: I don’t love this Red Wings team compared to some of the others in this Eastern Conference wild card race, but you have to give them credit for sticking around after looking like they were dead in the water before the coaching change. They still need A LOT of help defensively, but after a seven-game winning streak before their 6-3 loss to the Lightning on Saturday, they’re hanging on to the final playoff spot in the East.
Hunter: I think they’re going to fall short of a playoff spot, but I have no doubt they’re going to be in it right to the bitter end, which, sadly, is the worst possible outcome. As Scott said, credit to the Red Wings for getting to this point, but as we get closer to the end of the regular season, I get a sinking feeling that one of the Rangers or Bruins are going to come in at the last minute and snag one of those Wild Card spots. Either way, it’ll be a helluva race to the end.
Scott: I mean, for Red Wings’ fan’s sake, I hope the end isn’t bitter like last year.
21. Utah Hockey Club
Record: 24-23-9, -12
Last Week: 23rd (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 1
Scott’s Rank: 2
Scott: Every time I lose hope on Utah, they do something like winning three of their last four and pull me right back in. The odds are slim, especially now that the Canucks have started to sort themselves out post-Miller trade, but they’re still there. That said, they should probably get better at winning on home ice, as they’re only 9-12-6 right now. It’s not a good way to sell new fans on your team if you lose two-thirds of the time at home!
22. St. Louis Blues
Record: 25-26-5, -17
Last Week: 25th (+3)
Hunter’s Rank: 21st
Scott’s Rank: 23rd
Hunter: The Blues lost twice this week and only earned a win after scoring in the 10th round of a shootout against the Blackhawks, but they kept it tight against last spring’s two Stanley Cup Finalists in the Oilers and Panthers. Losing to the Panthers with 12 seconds to go in the game is a good microcosm for the year: close, but not quite enough.
23. Calgary Flames
Record: 26-21-8, -17
Last Week: 17th (-6)
Hunter’s Rank: 20th
Scott’s Rank: 25th
Hunter: Losers of three straight and slipping out of a playoff spot, the two-week international break couldn’t have come at a better time. Dustin Wolf has gotten Calgary to this point and will finish the season with a well-deserved Calder Trophy nomination, but in his four starts in February, he’s 0-3-1 with an .878 save percentage and 3.55 goals against average. Take a deep breath and see where you are on Feb. 23.
Scott: Boy, I sure traded Wolf in my fantasy league at the right time.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 23-25-9, -37
Last Week: 22nd (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 24th
Scott’s Rank: 22nd
Hunter: The smartest managerial move this Penguins team has pulled off this season is letting Sidney Crosby rest ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and I’m not just saying that because I’ll be going to Montreal this week with my better half. Their season is as good as over, so credit to them for giving their franchise cornerstone every chance they can to represent Canada for the first time since 2016.
Scott: I’m sure Kyle Dubas had many sleepless nights deciding if they should risk Crosby’s health for this tournament. I mean, if Sid does get hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off, that might make the Penguins worse in an already lost season and get them a better draft pick. The horror!
25. Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 24-26-7, -30
Last Week: 26th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 27th
Scott’s Rank: 24th
Scott: The Flyers join the Kings as the only NHL teams playing with a bit of found money in terms of the expectations of their fans. The Flyers had lost seven of their last eight games before a 3-2 win over the Penguins on Saturday, and no one in Philadelphia will care because the Eagles won the Super Bowl yesterday. Not that Flyers fans had high expectations this season anyways, but as long as the team just executes the rebuild properly over the next few months, Philly will be just fine.
26. Montreal Canadiens
Record: 25-26-5, -31
Last Week: 24th (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 26th
Scott’s Rank: 26th
Hunter: I mentioned last week that, yes, the party’s over, but some things have looked good in this rough patch. Lane Hutson continues to whistle at both ends of the rink, and Brendan Gallagher had more spark in his game this last week. But Juraj Slafkovsky’s development is still a concern, and all the goodwill Patrik Laine built up is gone, going 10 games without a goal.
27. Anaheim Ducks
Record: 24-24-6, -28
Last Week: 27th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 25th
Scott’s Rank: 28th
Scott: Don’t look now, but the Ducks have now won six of their last seven games, and managed to bring their record to an even .500 – by the NHL’s standards, of course. They’re still nine points behind the Canucks for the final playoff spot in the West, but honestly, with how loaded their young core is, it might be for the betterment of the team long term to make a late push and actually get the experience of being competitive in March and April instead of landing another top 5-10 draft pick to add to the group. Even 27-year-old Troy Terry hasn’t played playoff hockey, so this franchise needs a win.
28. Buffalo Sabres
Record: 22-27-5, -14
Last Week: 28th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 28th
Scott’s Rank: 27th
Hunter: I’m not interested in the whole “they didn’t stand up for Tage Thompson” fiasco. I’m not interested in whether they’ll trade the likes of Bowen Byram or Dylan Cozens, or even the underwhelming Jack Quinn, who may be most desperate for a fresh start. All this team does is make me mad.
29. Seattle Kraken
Record: 24-29-4, -14
Last Week: 30th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 30th
Scott’s Rank: 29th
Scott: The Kraken had a nice two-goal comeback in the final seven minutes of Saturday’s game to snap a stretch of five losses in six games, but with how underwhelming this team has been this season, I wouldn’t expect this to start a rally once they return from the break. At this point, they should just focus on getting as much value from some of their expendable assets, and pray that they can land a generational player in the draft, specifically a forward.
30. Nashville Predators
Record: 19-28-7, -35
Last Week: 29th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 29th
Scott’s Rank: 30th
Scott: It’s quite on brand for this season that the Predators had a six-game losing streak, but still managed to win the expected goals battle in five of the six games. As I’ve started to mention recently, they’ve improved their play, but they still aren’t getting the results. Before I tell you, take a guess where I originally had the Predators ranked before adjusting with the five-point rule. If you guessed 17th, you’re right. This team is still extremely mid, and that’s another problem, but they should be less worried about whether they can bounce back next season at this point because they probably will.
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 17-31-7, -42
Last Week: 31st (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 31st
Scott’s Rank: 31st
Scott: The Blackhawks made headlines last week not for losing four of their last five games, but for being involved in some beef with Paul Bissonnette for criticising Connor Bedard’s play, and Chicago rightfully pointing out that Bedard had as many points in a 21-game stretch that Bissonnette had in his career. As someone who hasn’t even played a competitive ice hockey game, never mind an NHL game, I think Bissonnette’s career shouldn’t be a hang-up to any criticisms, but at the same time, it’s still really funny how the Blackhawks responded to him.
22 points in 21 games vs. 22 points in your NHL career
that's pond hockey baby pic.twitter.com/yk96PuvTd3
32. San Jose Sharks
Record: 15-35-7, -68
Last Week: 32nd (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 32nd
Scott’s Rank: 32nd
Hunter: Hmmm, who else can we trade? Luke Kunin is a pending unrestricted free agent with 11 goals at $2.75 million. With the cap going up by more than $7 million next season, maybe there’s an appetite for teams to take on a contract with term. So, who knows?
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