Stopping the Colorado Avalanche from scoring was the biggest challenge in the 2025-26 NHL season, and keeping the team from stringing together wins has been just as hard. Halfway through the season, the Avalanche hold an impressive 29-2-7 record with only two regulation losses in 38 games. They have gone undefeated in their last 11 games (10-0-1) since their December 4th loss to the New York Islanders and enter Week 13 riding an eight-game winning streak.
However, the Avalanche do not currently own the NHL’s longest winning streak—that honor goes to the Buffalo Sabers, who boast a nine-game winning streak. The Sabers, tied for the longest playoff drought in American professional sports, have not lost since a three-game skid in early December. Other teams also shined in Week 12, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets winning both their games, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, and Seattle Kraken earning points with strong performances.
Several teams struggled, including the Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoths, who lost both their games, while the Dallas Stars managed to grab points despite not winning. Weekly NHL power rankings, based on recent and overall performance, provide insights into top contenders.
Heading into Week 13, the Avalanche top the list with game-winning efforts highlighted by Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. The Dallas Stars hover near the top, strong despite close losses, and the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes demonstrate solid play. Detroit, Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Buffalo, Anaheim, and Montreal round out the top 10, each with notable player achievements and team milestones fueling their success.
Fan Take: The Avalanche’s dominance and the surprising surge of the Sabers showcase the thrilling unpredictability of the NHL this season. For hockey fans, this mix of powerhouse teams and emerging contenders promises an exciting race to the playoffs and a dynamic future for the sport.
