In Week 5 of the 2025-26 NHL season, six teams remained undefeated, while five failed to secure a win. Leading the charge, the Colorado Avalanche dominated with a 3-0-0 record for the week and a standout overall record of 10-1-5 after 16 games. They triumphed over Tampa Bay, Edmonton, and Vancouver, with star Nathan MacKinnon contributing significantly, including a nine-game point streak and leading the league in points and goals. Defenseman Cale Makar also had an impressive week, boosting his points total to lead all defensemen.
The Anaheim Ducks kept their momentum, winning all four games last week and ascending to the top of the Pacific Division. Key players like Leo Carlson, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, and Chris Kreider have been pivotal in the Ducks’ strong offensive surge. The Carolina Hurricanes also excelled, scoring 18 goals in four wins and marking improvements in defense and goaltending, with Pyotr Kochetkov achieving a shutout in his season debut.
The New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins rounded out the top teams with solid performances, highlighted by notable players such as Simon Nemec, Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Kirby Dach, Noah Dobson, Morgan Geekie, and Pavel Zacha. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins showed mixed results but sustained efforts from veterans Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin keep them competitive.
Other standout teams include the Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning, all demonstrating strong offensive and defensive plays. Players like Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, Nikita Kucherov, and Brandon Hagel have been essential contributors during this period.
On the flip side, the Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets struggled, losing all their games last week, which left them out of the current rankings.
Fan Take: This week’s power rankings reveal how dominance and resilience shape the NHL landscape early in the season. For hockey fans, seeing star players consistently lead their teams not only fuels excitement but also hints at a thrilling, competitive race toward the playoffs that could elevate the sport’s profile even further.
