Last week marked a notable shift in the 2025-26 NHL season as the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights both experienced their first regulation losses, finishing Week 3 winless with a combined record of 0-2-4. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils (8-1-0) and Utah Mammoth (8-2-0) dominated, each winning all four of their games and sharing first place with 16 points heading into Week 4. Although Colorado (5-1-4) and Vegas (5-1-3) remain in the top 10, their recent performances have caused them to drop slightly in the rankings.
Each week, the NHL’s top 10 teams are ranked based on their recent and overall season performance, with a summary provided for each team’s current standing. Here’s a summary of the Week 3 power rankings:
1. New Jersey Devils (4-0-0 in Week 3, 8-1-0 overall) — After an opening loss, the Devils have since won eight straight games, including three multi-goal victories. Jack Hughes leads with eight goals, supported strongly by backup goalie Jake Allen who has won all five starts in place of the injured Jacob Markstrom.
2. Utah Mammoth (4-0-0; 8-2-0) — The Mammoth surprised with an undefeated Week 3, racking up impressive wins and a total of 16 goals. Logan Cooley stood out with a five-point week, while Nick Schmaltz consistently contributes, being tied for the NHL points lead.
3. Colorado Avalanche (0-1-3; 5-1-4) — Despite a winless week, Cale Makar remained a top NHL defenseman, while Martin Necas and Artturi Lehkonen provided notable offensive efforts.
4. Vegas Golden Knights (0-1-1; 5-1-3) — The Golden Knights struggled offensively last week but have a strong record overall. Jack Eichel leads the NHL in points, although their reduced game schedule next week could impact their ranking.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (3-0-1; 7-2-1) — The Penguins have been surprisingly strong, led by veterans Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, who remain among the league’s top scorers. Rookie Justin Brazeau is also emerging as a key contributor.
6. Montreal Canadiens (2-1-0; 7-3-0) — The Canadiens showed resilience with two wins and a close loss. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have been consistent offensive threats, and rookie Ivan Demidov is starting to demonstrate his high draft potential.
7. Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-0; 6-2-0) — The Hurricanes split their games last week, with Sebastian Aho maintaining a point streak through all their games and Seth Jarvis recovering from a scoring lull.
8. Winnipeg Jets (1-2-0; 6-3-0) — The Jets ended a winning streak with two losses last week but continue to benefit from the scoring contributions of Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.
9. Seattle Kraken (2-1-0; 5-2-2) — The Kraken bounced back with wins after a loss, featuring a standout shutout performance from goalie Joey Daccord and strong offensive play from captain Jordan Ebert.
10. Detroit Red Wings (1-2-0; 6-3-0) — The Red Wings fell six spots due to heavy losses but showed fight in a come-from-behind game. Rookie Emmitt Finney has been a bright spot with consistent scoring.
Fan Take: This shift in power rankings underscores the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the NHL season, highlighting both emerging stars and seasoned veterans rising to the challenge. For hockey fans, it signals an exciting race for playoff positions and potential breakout moments that keep the sport dynamic and captivating.
