Most teams would brush off a 3-3-1 run without much concern, but the Colorado Avalanche are not like most teams. Despite only two regulation losses in their first 40 games of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Avalanche recently faltered in a Florida road trip, losing to both the Panthers and Lightning within three days. Their home start was uneven with two wins in seven games, including a 7-3 defeat to the Nashville Predators at Ball Arena, bringing their record to 19-1-3.
Last week, Colorado split two games, including a notable 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Even with their recent struggles, they still hold a commanding 10-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes for the Presidents Trophy. The Hurricanes boast two of the NHL’s top seven scorers, the leading defenseman scorer, and a top goaltender.
While the Avalanche went even in Week 15, eight teams maintained undefeated runs in regulation games. The Anaheim Ducks swept all four of their games, while the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Utah Mammoths were flawless at 3-0. Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins remained unbeaten but had some draws, and Tampa Bay Lightning earned points in all three matches. The Los Angeles Kings finished with no wins or losses but three draws.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have hit a deep slump, losing four consecutive regulation games for the second week in a row and sitting winless in their last 11 games. The Dallas Stars’ downturn is more surprising—they’ve won just two of their last 12 games, lost all three Week 15 games in regulation, and struggled offensively with only one goal per game.
Each week throughout the season, top 10 NHL teams are ranked based on their recent performance and overall season progress. Here’s a look at the Week 16 power rankings with insights into each team’s achievements:
1. Colorado Avalanche (1-1 in Week 15, 34-5-8 overall)
Though a scoreless home game was unexpected, especially against the Predators who have played well, the Avalanche rebounded with Nathan MacKinnon shining in a 5-2 win over Washington. MacKinnon, the 2024 Hart Trophy winner, scored two goals and an assist, leading the NHL with 38 points and sharing the overall points lead at 85 with Connor McDavid. Martin Necas and defenseman Cale Makar also stood out, while Brock Nelson sustained his strong scoring streak.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-0-1; 30-13-4)
Their impressive 11-game winning streak ended with a shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues, but they bounced back to extend another streak to 13 games after Week 15. Nikita Kucherov maintains his offensive dominance with 70 points, scoring in most recent games, along with key contributions from Brandon Hagel and defenseman Darren Radish.
3. Carolina Hurricanes (3-1-0, 31-15-4)
After an opening loss, the Hurricanes won three straight games with strong offense, including hat tricks from Nikolai Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov. Sebastian Aho, after a scoring dry spell, recently contributed several assists, boosting the team’s attacking depth.
4. Detroit Red Wings (2-1-0; 30-16-4)
Detroit recovered from a loss to win two games last week, now holding six wins in seven outings. Lucas Raymond is leading offense with frequent points, alongside Alex DeBrincat and veteran James van Riemsdyk. Goalie John Gibson has been standout in net with multiple wins.
5. Minnesota Wild (2-1-0; 28-13-9)
The Wild had a tough start with a loss but bounced back with road wins. Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kaprizov showed offensive sparks, and Marcus Foligno scored his first career hat trick, doubling his season points.
6. Dallas Stars (0-3-0; 27-13-9)
The Stars struggled with three straight regulation losses in Week 15, scoring just one goal per game. Wyatt Johnston was the only multi-point player last week, marking a concerning offensive drought for the team.
7. Vegas Golden Knights (3-1-0; 24-12-12)
The Knights went into Week 15 on a seven-game winning streak but hit a snag against the Flyers. Jack Eichel and captain Mark Stone were consistent contributors, with Mitch Marner, Tomas Hertl, and Pavel Dorofeev also reaching key offensive milestones.
8. Montreal Canadiens (1-1-1; 27-15-7)
Montreal earned three points in three games, with strong performances from Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, and Cole Caufield, who all had multiple scoring games in a row.
9. Boston Bruins (3-0-0; 28-19-2)
The Bruins capped Week 15 with three wins, including a shutout against Detroit. Key players Pavel Zascha and Charlie McAvoy were major offensive forces, supported by Viktor Arvidsson and David Pastrnak, who are on scoring streaks.
10. Buffalo Sabres (2-1-1; 26-17-5)
Buffalo took three points from four games, ending Week 15 with a loss to Carolina. Josh Norris missed games due to injury, but Rasmus Dahlin scored consistently, and Tage Thompson had a five-point assist game and his ninth career hat trick.
Fan Take: The endurance and resilience of the Colorado Avalanche despite recent setbacks highlight why they’re the team to beat, adding high stakes to the Presidents Trophy race. For hockey fans, witnessing this intense competition, along with rising stars and veteran comebacks, promises an exciting season that could redefine team dynamics and showcase elite talent in the NHL.
