NHL Stanley Cup Power Rankings following 2026 Winter Olympic break

While the world was just tuning into the Milano Cortina hockey tournament, front offices across the NHL were focused on the return of the NFL schedule and the March 6 trade deadline.

Organizations have less than two weeks to acquire pieces that will either help push a team into the playoffs or ensure a deep run.

Here are the Stanley Cup Power Rankings as we come back from the 2026 Winter Olympic break.

MORE: 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams

18. Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto has work to do when the NHL season resumes. The Maple Leafs are six points out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. The team relies on a high-octane offense, but the front office must improve the defense.

17. Ottawa Senators

Feb 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators center Tim Sttzle (18) celebrates his game-winning goal with right wing Claude Giroux (28) against the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Since January 13^th, Ottawa is 8-5. The offense has been on a tear, and the team has held opponents to two goals or fewer in each win. The Senators’ roster isn’t a Stanley Cup contender, and improvements are needed for the league’s 24^th–ranked defense.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets

The regular season has just over 20 games left, and Columbus is closer to an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot than Toronto. The league standings will change by the end of the season, but the Blue Jackets have become playoff contenders since starting their 11-1 run on January 11th. Leading up to the trade deadline, the Columbus front office must decide if they will be buyers.

15. Washington Capitals

Washington has had a rough go around since the calendar flipped. The team’s offense and defense have struggled, but the Olympic pause can kickstart both sides of the puck that are currently on life support. The Capitals will be a team looking for reinforcements at the trade deadline.

14. Utah Mammoth

Utah is one of the league’s most underrated teams and is overshadowed by division rivals Colorado, Minnesota, and Dallas. The Mammoth are flying under the radar and can play stress-free hockey without being under a microscope. The team’s strength lies in its 4th–ranked defense and is a dark horse to win the Stanley Cup.

13. Edmonton Oilers

NHL Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid Next Golden Era is Now Marketing Campaig — Oct 4, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. | Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Oilers entered the Olympic pause on a three-game losing streak and can use the break from league play. Edmonton’s storyline continues to be the same: an electrifying offense with a below-average defense that surrenders a high number of goals per game. Connor McDavid wants to win as a member of the Oilers, and the front office must do whatever is possible to improve the defense at the trade deadline.

12. New York Islanders

The Islanders’ defense and goaltending have made up for an offense that ranks 24^th in goals scored per game. However, this may be troublesome when facing better offenses in the playoffs. At the trade deadline, New York must add to the offense to have a serious shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

11. Boston Bruins

The Bruins have played consistent hockey, other than two six-game losing streaks in mid-October and mid-December. Boston has relied upon its offense throughout the season, and this has covered defensive flaws. The front office will look to add defensive pieces, specifically ones that can help one of the worst penalty-killing units in the league.

10. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo’s season was up and down before the switch went off in early December. The team went 11-18 from October 9^th to December 8^th. The Sabres’ rise started on December 9^th, and their record is 21-7 at the Olympic pause. The roster is young and lacks playoff experience, but it will be a tough series matchup for playoff opponents.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares for a face-off during the second period of the game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh’s early-season woes were correlated with the injuries the team dealt with. As the team started to reach full health, the Penguins started winning on a consistent basis. The team is full of veterans who can lead the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Sidney Crosby’s injury in the Olympics shouldn’t keep him out long, if at all.

8. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal was chasing Detroit for the division lead before Tampa Bay started the hottest streak this season. The Canadiens are tied for second and trail Tampa Bay by six points. The team’s offense has been one of the NHL’s best, but the defense is below-average and surrenders a high number of goals per game.

7. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are on the verge of reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. Detroit’s defense has led the way to the team’s consistent play throughout the season. Entering the playoffs, the team’s two glaring issues are a lack of playoff experience and goal scoring.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Jan 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during the warmup before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Golden Knights were starting to pull away from the rest of the Pacific Division before enduring a six-game losing streak from January 25^th to February 1^st. However, they were able to stop the slide before the league pause, winning back-to-back games. Defensive reinforcements are needed as Vegas must compete with Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas, and Edmonton for the Western Conference representative in the Stanley Cup Finals.

5. Dallas Stars

The Central Division features three of the league’s best teams, and Dallas has the best record against division opponents. The strength of the Stars is their defense, and the front office may add offensive depth to help in the playoffs. Colorado may not relinquish its division lead, but Dallas and Minnesota will continue the fight for second place.

4. Minnesota Wild

Feb 4, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Western Conference playoffs are headed for huge storylines, and the Wild can be the team to reach the conference finals. Minnesota faced adversity early this season, but quickly solved many issues. The team is among league leaders in nearly every statistical category and will be a matchup nightmare in the playoffs.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has led the Eastern Conference in points throughout the season. The Hurricanes strong season has seen the offense and defense rank in the top 10 of the NHL. Barring an upset, Carolina will be a favorite to reach the conference finals.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay started the season adding points while solving inconsistencies. They chased Detroit and Montreal for the first three months of the season until mid-December. Since December 20^th, the team is 19-2 and rank 2^nd in offense and defense.

1. Colorado Avalanche

May 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his go ahead goal in the third period against the Dallas Stars in game six of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado has been the NHL’s best throughout the season. Suffering one losing streak in October, the team looked invincible through the New Year. The Avalanche have come back to Earth since early January, but continue to lead the NHL in points, goal differential, and goals scored per game