The Most Wonderful Time in the NHL

The late-December holiday break has arrived, bringing a mix of joy and reflection across the NHL's 32 cities. Some teams celebrate recent successes while others have already begun making resolutions for improvement as they prepare for 2026.

Oilers on the Rise

The Edmonton Oilers, two-time defending Western Conference champions, are celebrating an impressive 8-2-1 record over the last 11 games, allowing them to climb to No. 9 in the B/R Power Rankings. Their recent success keeps them just ahead of the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens, all of whom moved up six spots this week.

Struggles in the East

Conversely, it's a less festive atmosphere in Toronto, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, where the Maple Leafs, Penguins, and Flyers dropped seven places in the rankings. Both the Penguins and the Flyers face struggles despite personal achievements; Sidney Crosby recently surpassed Mario Lemieux's franchise record for points but his team has found only one victory in the last ten games. Meanwhile, the Flyers are working to gel under new coach Rick Tocchet.

Mixed Results for Other Teams

As the holiday break approaches, other teams showcase varying forms of success. The Chicago Blackhawks fell to the bottom of the power rankings after six consecutive losses, while the Vancouver Canucks ended their recent five-game road trip positively, despite a loss in their final game. Notably, the Nashville Predators and Seattle Kraken have shown promise, with the Predators climbing the ranking after significant contributions from veteran players.

Looking Ahead

As teams regroup during the holiday break, they will look to refine their strategies and improve. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for continued growth as they work towards playoff positions. Fans can only wait and see how the rest of the season unfolds.