Midseason Review: Power Rankings Shakeup in NHL

As teams start to settle into the 2025-26 NHL season, it’s becoming clear that labeling squads as surprises may no longer apply. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks—each of whom missed the playoffs last season—are now proving their worth with significant bumps in this week's Power Rankings.

This week, the Bruins jumped impressively from 21st to 8th position, reflecting their strong performance on the ice. Similarly, the Blackhawks saw an elevation from 24th to 12th, while the Sharks made a notable leap from 29th to 19th place. These teams are showcasing their capabilities and fighting for respect in a competitive league.

However, the Toronto Maple Leafs, last season's Atlantic Division champions, faced a tough week, suffering the most significant drop from 14th to 27th. The Utah Mammoth and Columbus Blue Jackets also fell in the rankings, indicating a challenging stretch as they went from 7th to 18th and 13th to 23rd, respectively.

The Power Rankings follow a point system where teams score 32 points for a first-place vote down to 1 point for a last-place selection. Among the teams under pressure is the Calgary Flames, sitting at a disheartening 4-12-2 record, which marks their third consecutive loss after a tough matchup against the St. Louis Blues.

The St. Louis Blues themselves are beginning to find their footing, recently ending a streak with three wins in five games, highlighted by a crucial victory over the Flames. On the other hand, the Nashville Predators are in a slump, struggling with a five-game losing streak and looking for a turnaround on their upcoming trip to Sweden.

Despite the ups and downs, players are stepping up. Stars like Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Macklin Celebrini of the Sharks continue to impress, while injuries are affecting teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks.

As the midway point of the season approaches, teams will need to make strategic adjustments to stay competitive. Fans can expect more changes in the rankings as players return from injuries and teams strive to hit their stride for the playoff push.