We’ve hung the lights here at Power Rankings HQ. We’ve trimmed the tree. Now, it’s time to go shopping.
All 32 teams — even the good ones — need something. Luckily, they’ve got a pair of kindly elves to make those requests. It might not be what they want, but it’s what they should get.
As for you? Christmas has come early! You get a list of hockey teams, ordered from best to worst! Ho ho ho!
Last week: 3
Sean’s ranking: 1
Dom’s ranking: 1
Continued rehab progress for Alex Ovechkin.
All credit to the Capitals for pushing their way to the top of the Eastern Conference in the wake of Ovechkin’s broken leg on Nov. 18, but they’ve gone from averaging 4.3 goals per game with him to 3.82 without him. Ovechkin is skating on his own, by the way, but unlikely to return before Christmas, according to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston.
That’s not to say that Washington isn’t finding a way to get stuff done without him; linemate Aliaksei Protas scored twice in Thursday’s 2-1 over Columbus, giving the Caps their 10th straight road win.
Last week: 4
Sean’s ranking: 2
Dom’s ranking: 2
More Mark Stone power-play goodness.
Stone missed 14 games but is still on pace to set career highs in goals (29) and points (107). That says plenty about two things: how good he’s been this season and how much time he tends to miss.
He remains an all-around force, but Vegas might have felt his absence most acutely on the power play, where they were fourth in the NHL in goals per 60 before his injury (11.9) and 18th while he was recovering (6.8).
Last week: 1
Sean’s ranking: 3
Dom’s ranking: 3
Some productive time off for Joel Eriksson Ek.
Over the last few years, Eriksson Ek has grown into a complete player — we knew he was a high-end defensive center, and then he started adding some consistent point production to his game. At the moment, though, he’s more than a week into his stint on the shelf with a lower-body injury with no clear end in sight.
The Wild seem to have built enough cushion to let him take all the time he needs; he’s dealt with a few issues already in 2024-25, during which his scoring rate (1.86 points per 60) dipped to its lowest level since 2018-19. In the meantime, Marco Rossi can cook, and the Wild can eventually enjoy having two true top-six-caliber centers.
Last week: 6
Sean’s ranking: 5
Dom’s ranking: 5
Some of that early power-play shooting juice
During their 15-1 start, the Jets had the most productive power play in the league, scoring 16.56 goals per 60, more than double their expected number. In the process, more than 27 percent of their shots found the net, nearly five percentage points ahead of second-place Colorado.
Expecting that over the course of an entire season would be foolish — and all those numbers have indeed fallen during their recent run of sub-.500 hockey. In that time, they’ve been middle-of-the-pack across the board with the man advantage. Heating back up wouldn’t hurt.
Last week: 2
Sean’s ranking: 4
Dom’s ranking: 6
A top-pair bounceback
Last year the Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns pair earned 58 percent of the actual and expected goals. This year they’re down to 54 percent and have been narrowly outscored 21-19. That’s very unlike them.
In their defense, the duo is playing extremely tough minutes, more-so than usual. Still, we’re used to seeing better results and process from the pair. They need to be better. Over the last month both Slavin and Burns have just a 50 percent xG rate.
Last week: 5
Sean’s ranking: 7
Dom’s ranking: 4
Auston Matthews’ swagger back
The Leafs are 18-9-2, they’re first in the Atlantic, and they look like they have the defensive might to go deep this season. All of that is good news, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this team could be even better and that starts at the top. Matthews has been good, but he’s been nowhere close to his usual self — an MVP-caliber superstar who can score at will. Some of that is injury troubles to start the year and in time he may find his game. When he does, the Leafs have a chance to really take off.
Last week: 7
Sean’s ranking: 6
Dom’s ranking: 7
A power-play QB
The Panthers have the league’s fifth-best power play, so it’s hard to complain too much about personnel — it’s working. Having Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk running the show is a big deal. Still, it would be nice if the guy up top was someone a bit more credible.
And in the meantime, imagine being the bonehead who thought Adam Boqvist could be that guy. Wow!
Last week: 8
Sean’s ranking: 8
Dom’s ranking: 9
Better from Jacob Markstrom
It’s not that Markstrom has been bad — he started Thursday night with a .906 save percentage and about two goals saved above expected, then stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced against Los Angeles. That’s OK. The Devils, no doubt, thought they were getting a bit more than “OK” when they acquired Markstrom over the summer. Jake Allen, solid a backup as he may be, shouldn’t look like an equally appealing option.
9. Los Angeles Kings, 17-9-3
Last week: 11
Sean’s ranking: 9
Dom’s ranking: 10
Some respect for Anze Kopitar
Anze Kopitar has spent most of his career not getting the credit he deserves and that hasn’t changed in his 19th season. At 37, this man has 32 points in 29 games — a 90-point pace. And yet there hasn’t been much press about it from the dastardly East Coast media. For shame.
Last week: 13
Sean’s ranking: 11
Dom’s ranking: 8
Any five-on-five offense from anyone other than McDavid and Draisaitl
On Thursday night, Edmonton’s offense finally looked like the machine we expected it to be, against the Wild no less. It was an impressive 6-1 win, but it still needs to be said that outside the team’s two megastars, goals have been extremely difficult to come by at even strength.
After McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have just two players scoring over 1.5 points-per-60 at five-on-five. Mattias Janmark (1.64) and Jeff Skinner (1.54). Almost all of their other forwards are below 1.25 points-per-60. That’s pathetic!
And while Zach Hyman has taken a lot of heat this season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ offensive struggles shouldn’t be glossed over. In 28 games he has just six points at five-on-five. That’s unacceptable for a guy who spends so much time with the best player in the world.
Last week: 10
Sean’s ranking: 10
Dom’s ranking: 11
Some forward depth
We’ve spent plenty of space here gassing up the Lightning’s top six, and for good reason — they have 74 goals from their big guns. Anthony Cirelli, for one, is a legit Selke candidate and 55th in the league in goals per 60, and he’s, what, their third-best forward? Fourth?
Still, they need a little more from the third and fourth lines. Those guys are generally playing with the puck, which is nice, but 17 goals in more than two months of hockey isn’t what you want to see from a top-tier contender.
Last week: 9
Sean’s ranking: 12
Dom’s ranking: 12
A top-four defenseman
It was clear from the offseason that the Stars would enter the season with a serious hole on their blue line without Chris Tanev. Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin absolutely weren’t going to cut it in the top four.
Lo and behold, that’s exactly what’s happened. Dumba has not magically bounced back and Lyubushkin has not magically become more than a third-pair guy. How bad is it? The Stars are willingly pairing Nils Lundkvist — who infamously averaged 4:28 during the playoffs last year — with Esa Lindell on the second pair.
Lucky for Dallas, the Stars have three excellent defensemen. But the drop-off afterward is dramatic. This team desperately needs an upgrade.
Last week: 12
Sean’s ranking: 13
Dom’s ranking: 13
A defenseman Hart Trophy win
It’s been a long time since a defenseman was a Hart Trophy finalist, let alone won the thing. Quinn Hughes might just change that this season with how vital he’s been for the Canucks. This, from earlier this week, is just one example.
Canucks with Quinn Hughes on ice tonight:
29:49 minutes
49 shot attempts
21 shots on goal
6 high danger chances
3 goalsCanucks without Quinn Hughes on ice tonight:
31:51 minutes
9 shot attempts
4 shots on goal
2 high danger chances
0 goals— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 11, 2024
Hughes has the production and all-around game to make a case, but for those who love a good narrative when it comes to MVP voting, Hughes’ case feels stronger than any other right now. He is the engine keeping a weirdly mid Canucks team competitive every night.
14. Colorado Avalanche, 17-14-0
Last week: 15
Sean’s ranking: 14
Dom’s ranking: 14
Goaltending
And would you look at that, Santa came early. The Avalanche wasted no time fixing their woeful goalie situation trading both of the goalies they started the season with. Is a combo of MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood something to believe in? Probably not. But hey, it’s an improvement over what they were getting with Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen.
Last week: 14
Sean’s ranking: 15
Dom’s ranking: 16
Someone to hug Jeremy Swayman
For the first time in his career, Swayman allowed eight goals on Tuesday in an embarrassing drubbing at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets. Fresh off a big contract, Swayman has not looked himself this season with an .886 save percentage while allowing 11.8 goals saved above expected. That’s the worst mark in the league!
It’s clear what’s missing from the equation here: Hugs from his best friend Linus Ullmark. The power of friendship is real and Swayman is struggling without it. Someone on the team needs to step up to fill the void.
Last week: 17
Sean’s ranking: 18
Dom’s ranking: 15
Mika’s Mojo
The world probably doesn’t need much more ink spilled on the Rangers’ struggles and Mika Zaibanejad’s struggles specifically. Zibanejad went from looking like an average No. 1 center two years ago, to a decent one last season to… whatever he is now. It’s been tough to watch, but we’re rooting for him to get his groove back. When Zibanejad is on, he’s a fun player to watch.
Last week: 18
Sean’s ranking: 16
Dom’s ranking: 17
A successful Michkov Michigan
Matvei Michkov came oh-so-close to hitting the Michigan for the first time in his NHL career and we so badly want to see it, just to see how our good friend John Tortorella would react.
MICHKOV ALMOST PULLED OFF A MICHIGAN pic.twitter.com/KyQXo949BN
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) December 13, 2024
Last week: 16
Sean’s ranking: 17
Dom’s ranking: 19
More one-goal wins
On one hand, it’s tough to figure out how the Flames have stayed in the thick of the wild-card discussion in the Western Conference. Their goal differential is down to minus-14 after their 8-3 loss to Tampa on Thursday. On the other, they’re 7-1-5 in one-goal games this season. That, indeed, will do it — and that, indeed, is how Washington defied the odds to make the playoffs in 2024. Maybe the Flames have a run like that in them.
Last week: 26
Sean’s ranking: 19
Dom’s ranking: 18
A logo reveal
Okay, this is more of a Christmas wish for us than the team itself. We know that they’ll likely be called the Yeti or Yetis and we know the jersey will probably be similar to the current threads they’re wearing. Still shrouded in mystery though is the logo tying it all together. Come on Utah, give us a little Christmas sneak peek. Please?
Last week: 22
Sean’s ranking: 21
Dom’s ranking: 20
A real partner for Colton Parayko
It’s hard to think of many defensemen who have it tougher than Colton Parayko. Not only is he saddled with some of the toughest assignments in the league, he also has to do the job with players who simply aren’t equipped for it. Nick Leddy? Ryan Suter? In the year 2024? Come on, St. Louis. Even Philip Broberg, who’s having an excellent breakthrough season, isn’t a great fit there given his defensive game.
Parayko needs a buddy, someone he can depend on in that role. Easier said than done, but that doesn’t stop it from being No. 1 on the team’s wishlist.
Last week: 23
Sean’s ranking: 21
Dom’s ranking: 22
For Matty Beniers to catch a break
He seems like a nice enough guy — certainly not like someone who deserved to have his shooting percentage go from 16.2 to 11.3 to 7.1, year over year. Seattle is at least winning Beniers’ minutes in terms of actual and expected goals.
Last week: 28
Sean’s ranking: 22
Dom’s ranking: 21
A healthy roster
Good news! Mathew Barzal, Anthony Duclair and Adam Pelech are all progressing well and were skating at practice on Thursday. Their returns feel close and that’s a big deal for a team that’s managed to stay within reach of a playoff spot despite losing 61 percent of their games. God bless the East and God bless the loser point.
When healthy, the Islanders have a solid team. They have a real shot to make things interesting down the stretch.
Last week: 20
Sean’s ranking: 21
Dom’s ranking: 20
More of the same from Rickard Rakell
He scored twice on Thursday against Montreal, giving him 13 goals on the season, and has generally looked the part of a capable top-six forward. That’s good news for the Penguins, who can cross their fingers and hope that production continues — if only to help turn Rickard (and his $5 million AAV for three more seasons) into a tradeable player.
Last week: 24
Sean’s ranking: 24
Dom’s ranking: 24
A white elephant gift exchange where another team leaves with Travis Hamonic
In 27 games, Hamonic has just a single point and the Senators have been outscored 15-5 with him on the ice. That’s frighteningly bad and he’s dragged Jake Sanderson down with him. For whatever reason, it’s been Hamonic on the top pair with Artem Zub sidelined and the results have been predictably disastrous. The pair have 45 percent of the expected goals this season, down from the 58 percent Sanderson has earned without Hamonic. Poor Sanderson.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets, 12-13-4
Last week: 19
Sean’s ranking: 25
Dom’s ranking: 25
A slumpbuster for Adam Fantilli
The sophomore slump is real and Adam Fantilli is right in the thick of it. While many of Columbus’ young players have taken a strong step this year under Dean Evason, Fantilli hasn’t been one of them. His points-per-60 at five-on-five dropped from 2.05 last year to 1.56 this season and he’s had a really difficult time winning the scoring chance battle. Columbus has just a 33 percent xG share with Fantilli on the ice. Fantilli’s future is bright, but things do feel a little dim at the moment.
Last week: 21
Sean’s ranking: 26
Dom’s ranking: 27
An exorcism
Well, what else can be said about a team that’s missed the playoffs for 13 straight seasons and will almost certainly make that 14? The Buffalo Sabres are cursed and it doesn’t feel like any small thing will do to right this ship, not with the way they’ve regressed the past two years after sparking so much excitement during the 2022-23 season. There’s some absolutely rotten energy reeking from the franchise — the Sabres need a top-to-bottom spiritual cleansing.
Last week: 25
Sean’s ranking: 27
Dom’s ranking: 26
Either more from Patrick Kane, or less of Patrick Kane
He’s got four five-on-five points in 24 regular-season games. In terms of rate, that ties him with Zach Bogosian. With him on the ice, Detroit has an expected goals rate of about 38 percent. In his last 13 games, he has one point period, and that’s counting the power play. Horrific stuff.
Last week: 29
Sean’s ranking: 25
Dom’s ranking: 28
For Alexandar Georgiev to be himself
Encouraging as the Sharks’ half-decent early start might’ve been — with Macklin Celebrini’s play at the very top of the list — they were beginning to creep a little too close to the mushy middle; 10 wins and five OT losses in 28 games doesn’t do anyone much good in the long run. Over the course of the next few months, though, sending Georgiev — he of the .874 save percentage and seven goals allowed above expected — out there on the regular should help them secure another bag in the lottery.
Last week: 27
Sean’s ranking: 29
Dom’s ranking: 29
Something positive from a young forward
Of the 648 NHL players with at least 100 minutes played this season, Mason McTavish is 629th in expected goals percentage. Just a hair over 38. Not good! Leo Carlsson is 606th. Not good! Trevor Zegras just tore his meniscus. Not good!
30. Montreal Canadiens, 11-15-3
Last week: 30
Sean’s ranking: 28
Dom’s ranking: 30
To never see the Pittsburgh Penguins again.
We knew the Canadiens were a pretty brutal defensive team. Did we know they were “allow nine goals to the 2024-25 Penguins” bad? “Six goals in one period” bad? “Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari scored a couple minutes apart” bad? Don’t think so. Montreal, in three games against Pittsburgh this season, took three Ls and were outscored 18-6. Thankfully, they won’t draw them again until next fall. Or the playoffs.
Last week: 31
Sean’s ranking: 31
Dom’s ranking: 31
A time machine programmed to June 30, 2024
Past Barry Trotz: Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei — it’s a new era for Predators hockey, baby! We’re going to be a big-time threat in the West with these major additions.
Present Day Barry Trotz:
Last week: 32
Sean’s ranking: 32
Dom’s ranking: 32
Continued relief for Connor Bedard.
At the start of Chicago’s game against the Islanders, Bedard had scored five times (!) on just 7.2 percent of his shots(!!) — so his post-goal reaction on Thursday made some sense. Might as well have looked into the camera and theatrically exhaled.
oh my goodness Connor Bedard 😅 pic.twitter.com/Iv9f2SM9yI
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 13, 2024
The Blackhawks’ season seems like it’s circling the drain, but Bedard has plenty of time to turn things around for himself.
(Top photo of the Washington Capitals: Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
