The Dallas Stars have overtaken the Colorado Avalanche for the No. 1 spot in the latest NHL power rankings after a franchise-record 10-game winning streak. Despite holding a six-point lead in the standings, the Avalanche have faltered recently, going 11-8-2 since January 1. The top five teams are now within 11 points of each other as the trade deadline approaches.
The Colorado Avalanche, who dominated much of the season, have slipped to second place in the NHL power rankings. Holding a 41-10-9 record and a +81 goal differential, they maintain the top spot in the league standings but their performance has waned. Since January 1, the Avalanche have posted an 11-8-2 record, with their offense appearing average. Nathan MacKinnon has relinquished the scoring lead to Connor McDavid, and Cale Makar is no longer the top-scoring defenseman, with Evan Bouchard taking that position. The team's points percentage has dropped from .859 at the end of 2025 to .758.
The Dallas Stars, with a 38-14-9 record and +47 goal differential, have surged to the top following their 10-game winning streak, previously ranked No. 5. This run positions them well to win the Central Division and avoid a first-round playoff matchup against the Avalanche or Minnesota Wild.
Other notable rankings include the Carolina Hurricanes at No. 3 (38-16-6, +37), bolstered by Frederik Andersen's return; the Minnesota Wild at No. 4 (36-16-10, +29), featuring Quinn Hughes and Kirill Kaprizov, who set a franchise record with 220 goals in 381 games; and the Tampa Bay Lightning at No. 5 (38-17-4, +52), struggling with three straight losses post-Olympic break.
The Buffalo Sabres, ranked No. 6 (36-19-6, +26), have been the league's best team since December 1 with a 26-8-2 record, positioning them for a potential deep playoff run. The Utah Mammoth, at No. 13 (32-25-4, +24), benefit from Logan Cooley's return and aim for their first playoffs since 2020 as the Arizona Coyotes. With the trade deadline nearing, teams like the Sabres and Mammoth are poised for significant moves to enhance their contention chances. The NHL's top teams are closely bunched, setting up an intriguing regular-season finish.
