Our initial Power Ranking for 2025 has two Canadian clubs in the top ten: the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets.
The Oilers have dropped two positions from first to third after having a 3-1-1 record during the Christmas break. Leon Draisaitl remains a driving force offensively, with a 14-game point streak. Draisaitl, the NHL’s leading goal scorer with 29, has 27 points on his current run.
While the Oilers are sixth in points percentage, our model still considers them an exceptional club that will continue to rise in the rankings.
The Jets, who have lost three consecutive games, are still looking for their first win of the new year. As a result of their current losing run, the Jets have dropped from sixth to ninth on our ranking.
The major concern heading into the second half of the season is whether regression will work against this club.
Winnipeg ranks third in goals for and against per game. However, the Jets are middle of the pack in terms of predicted goals for and against. Connor Hellebuyck should keep the Jets’ goals against average low, but a reduction in offensive production may provide an issue in the future.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won five of their last six games, stay 12th on our ranking.
Auston Matthews returned to the Leafs’ lineup this past weekend, giving fans a late Christmas treat. Matthews had five points in two games since his return from injury, but the real news in Toronto has been Matthew Knies’ recent performance. Matthews’ left winger got five points against the Bruins on Saturday and again the next night against the Flyers. The Leafs return to action Tuesday night against the Flyers in Philadelphia.
Despite losing three of their past four games, the Vancouver Canucks have moved up one position from 17th to 16th on our list since our last rankings.
Vancouver has recently suffered injuries to key players such as Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, and Thatcher Demko. However, Pettersson practiced with the Canucks on Sunday and is expected to play against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. The Canucks are currently in the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and aim to re-establish their lineup.
Our model remains slightly positive on the Senators, who are without starter goalkeeper Linus Ullmark due to a chronic back issue. This week, the Senators will take on the Red Wings, Sabres, Penguins, and Stars.
The Calgary Flames, one point behind the Canucks in the standings, have dropped two slots from 18th to 20th on our rankings. Calgary, like Vancouver, has lost three of its last four games and is failing to score.
The Flames, ranked 29th in goals per game, have averaged only two goals per game over the last five games. Shot volume remains high, with Calgary ranking second in the NHL in shot attempts per game, but quality is a concern, as the Flames rank 26th in inner slot shots and 28th in anticipated goals per game.
Don’t look now, but the Montreal Canadiens are only two points out of a playoff spot and have two games in hand on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold the final wild-card spot in the East.
The Habs have won seven of their last nine games and are the NHL’s fourth-highest scoring club during that time. As a consequence, Montreal has moved up to 22nd on our ranking from 24th in our last rankings.
Jake Evans and Cole Caufield have led the way with a team-high five goals over that period. Perhaps the most astounding is that the Canadiens have the second-best goals against average over their last nine games. Jakub Dobes has been a bright spot in goal for the Habs, winning his first two NHL starts and earning a.982 save percentage.
