NHL Power Rankings April 2025

NHL Power Rankings April 2025

We’ve made it to our last NHL power rankings of the season, which means we are in one of two modes. Sometimes, you get a year like 2021-22, where it was clear which 16 teams would make the playoffs months in advance. In other seasons, chaos reigns at the season’s end, like in 2017-18, when the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche clinched playoff berths on the last full day of the regular season and several seeding races came down to the wire.

Unfortunately, this year is shaping up to be more like the former, although there are still reasons to watch the rest of the way. There’s a bit of drama for the last playoff spot in each conference, with the Montréal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild four points ahead of the competition. The Washington Capitals have all but clinched the Metropolitan Division crown and are neck-and-neck with the Winnipeg Jets for the Presidents’ Trophy, with the Dallas Stars still in the picture. There’s only one playoff matchup fully locked in, as the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils will meet for the second time in three years (Carolina won in a five-game second-round series in 2023). A third battle of Florida since 2021 and the fourth straight year of the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings meeting in the first round seem likely, but there’s room for movement.

There’s also some movement in our power rankings as we round out the 2024-25 season. Playoff hockey is right around the corner, but this will have to tide you over for now.

32. Chicago Blackhawks

Andrew: 32; Trey: 32

This has mostly amounted to a lost year for the Blackhawks. They do at least get a treat to end the year, with Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel getting their first taste of the NHL, giving Chicago fans a taste of what may be a brighter future. They may regret not deciding on Ryan Donato at the trade deadline one way or another, though.

31. San Jose Sharks

Andrew: 31; Trey: 31

The Calder Trophy race is fascinating this year. All of Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson, Dustin Wolf, and Matvei Michkov have a legitimate claim — Celebrini’s been a great two-way center, Hutson may win the scoring race as a defender, Wolf has been the Flames’ MVP, and Michkov is the current goal leader. Either way, the Sharks have at least done a better job insulting their No. 1 pick than the team below them.

30. Buffalo Sabres

Andrew: 28; Trey: 30

They haven’t even gotten to reap the rewards of their big deadline move lately, with Josh Norris out since March 12 after playing just three games with the team. Tage Thompson did get back to the 40-goal mark after some regression last season, but he’s registered 20 fewer assists this season than his breakout 2022-23 campaign.

29. Seattle Kraken

Andrew: 29; Trey: 28

This is Seattle’s fourth season in the NHL — they’ve been terrible twice, mediocre once, and good once. Ron Francis has already pulled the coaching change card. Does he deserve a more extended run here? Granted, swapping Philipp Grubauer for even a league-average backup next year would be very beneficial, but that problem is Francis’s fault, nor is it the Kraken’s lone issue.

28. Boston Bruins

Andrew: 30; Trey: 28

There are drop-offs, and then there’s the Niagara Falls-sized chasm the Bruins have fallen into over the last six weeks. Losing Charlie McAvoy during the Four Nations Face-Off all but ended their playoff hopes, and that, combined with a considerable deadline sell-off, has left the team in free fall. This is Boston’s first playoff miss since 2016, but the team infrastructure doesn’t feel nearly as sound as it did then.

27. Nashville Predators

Andrew: 26; Trey: 29

The Predators will be one of the most fascinating stories of the offseason. Do they try to double down on a veteran-filled roster, or will they operate more like a traditional team with three first-round picks in their arsenal? Either way, they desperately need Juuse Saros to bounce back next year, especially with Yaroslav Askarov off to a promising start in San Jose.

T-25. Philadelphia Flyers

Andrew: 27; Trey: 25

Rather than go off quietly into a franchise-record-tying fifth consecutive playoff miss, the Flyers were their typical chaotic selves in March. John Tortorella went out in a blaze of… well, I wouldn’t quite call getting into an altercation with Cam York so heated that the Flyers still benched him the next game, even though Tortorella was already axed glory; however, it is a very on-brand (likely) conclusion to Tortorella’s coaching career. At least Michkov is finishing strong, though.

T-25. Pittsburgh Penguins

Andrew: 25; Trey: 27

I’m curious what is going through Sidney Crosby‘s mind right now. It’s not about Alex Ovechkin getting his ultimate milestone moment in the sun, but about the Capitals being so much better than the Penguins for the first time in their careers. Between Rutger McGroarty and a top-10 pick, the Penguins are starting to gain some nice young talent, but can they afford to wait on them if they hope to give Crosby one more chance at the playoffs?

24. New York Islanders

Andrew: 23; Trey: 24

They lost the battle but won the war on Sunday, earning an impressive win over the Capitals that I didn’t think they had in them. It probably won’t be enough, as they have a five-point gap to close with six games to play and a maze of other teams around them. If only Mathew Barzal were available to aid their charge.

23. Anaheim Ducks

Andrew: 24; Trey: 22

Let’s be nice and call this a slight step forward season for the Ducks. Anaheim has lots of talent, but hasn’t had anyone emerge as a true game-breaker. That’s not the end of the world — there’s still plenty of time for Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson to make that leap, and Jackson LaCombe had a coming-out party this season. But it will be interesting to see if anyone gets moved this summer, if Pat Verbeek feels they need a shakeup or more help for next season to be a success, whatever that looks like.

22. Detroit Red Wings

Andrew: 22; Trey: 23

Steve Yzerman doesn’t deserve the Red Wings GM job anymore. Simon Edvinsson looks good, and we already knew that Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider are legit. However, there aren’t nearly enough young players capable of being significant contributors, and Yzerman hasn’t been able to flesh out the rest of the roster effectively.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has their prospect pool ranked fifth in the league, so I understand the argument for patience, plus what he means to the organization from his playing career. But I don’t have enough faith that he can move this team forward with them treading water the last couple of seasons.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

Andrew: 19; Trey: 21

Sadly, the Blue Jackets faded in March, moving their playoff hopes close to long-shot territory. No matter how they finish, Columbus should hang their heads high for playing so well in a season surrounded by such terrible circumstances. They’ve got many great players to move forward with, although unfortunately, I think we may be at the point of no return (also known as a buyout) with Elvis Merzlikins.

20. Utah Hockey Club

Andrew: 21; Trey: 18

For all of the buzz surrounding Utah this season, they never got a big wave of momentum to ride like Vegas did in their inaugural season. The circumstances are different, of course, and Utah did suffer some significant injuries early in the year. The growth of Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther will be exciting to follow, but Utah still needs more firepower.

T-18. New York Rangers

Andrew: 17; Trey: 19

Barring a late push, the Rangers will be this season’s biggest disappointment (you could maybe argue the Canucks, but New York had more of a track record as a contender). Mika Zibanejad‘s down year is concerning, with three more years at $8.5 million on his contract. It’s also tough not to see Alexis Lafrenière build on last year’s step forward, especially with his big-boy contract kicking in next season. Those two will go a long way to determining if this is an outlier or something more serious.

T-18. Calgary Flames

Andrew: 20; Trey: 16

They’re not dead yet, with a 6-2-2 mark in their last 10 games pulling them within four points of the ailing Wild. Some playoff success would go a long way to boosting Jonathan Huberdeau‘s stock in Calgary, although that will be tough to come by against (likely) Winnipeg. The Flames should struggle mightily to break through Connor Hellebuyck if they get there, but just doing that would be a very positive outcome.

T-16. Montréal Canadiens

Andrew: 15; Trey: 20

Four straight wins and a manageable schedule the rest of the way have the Canadiens sitting pretty in the race for the last playoff spot in the East. While the all-Canadian teams in the playoffs scenario is all but a pipe dream (one of Calgary or Vancouver could make it, but not both), Montréal deserves credit for pushing it in the right direction. Finish strong over the next 10 days, and we’ll see how well Samuel Montembeault can imitate Jaroslav Halak.

T-16. Vancouver Canucks

Andrew: 18; Trey: 17

I always thought there would be some regression this season from Vancouver, but their season ending with J.T. Miller in the Big Apple and Elias Pettersson on the shelf is something else. Thatcher Demko has been good when healthy, so maybe the Canucks can have their version of this year’s Capitals tandem next season with Kevin Lankinen… or perhaps they move him to replenish their forward core, especially if Brock Boeser walks.

15. Minnesota Wild

Andrew: 16; Trey: 13

Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek could return soon, but they may not be enough to lift a Wild team running out of steam. It was always about next year for the big picture in Minnesota, but missing the playoffs with the big cushion they’d built would be brutal.

T-13. Ottawa Senators

Andrew: 13; Trey: 15

The last year the Senators made the playoffs, the Nintendo Switch was released, Ovechkin still didn’t have a Stanley Cup, and the No. 1 song was “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran. So, it’s been a minute. Credit the Senators for taking the risk on Linus Ullmark — it’s paid off. Playoff Brady Tkachuk is going to be a monster.

T-13. New Jersey Devils

Andrew: 14; Trey: 14

Unlike the Wild, the Devils have at least done enough to solidify their playoff position despite injuries to two of their best players. It will be an uphill battle against Carolina, especially if former Hurricane Dougie Hamilton remains sidelined.

12. St. Louis Blues

Andrew: 12; Trey: 12

Twelfth place for 12 consecutive wins, one more than the streak that catapulted the 2018-19 Blues firmly into the playoff picture. We all know what happened this season. Unfortunately, Dylan Holloway will likely be out to start the playoffs, but a team this hot is always dangerous. Incredibly, the Blues have been a mediocre play-driving team during this run (49.43% expected goals, 19th in the NHL), although that puts them behind a couple of contenders in the Capitals and Maple Leafs since March 15, so at least they’ve got good company.

11. Los Angeles Kings

Andrew: 11; Trey: 11

Of all their meetings with the Oilers in the playoffs over the last several years, this is the one Los Angeles has the best chance of winning. The Kings are a play-driving machine, with a revitalized Darcy Kuemper in the net, solidifying one of the best win-win trades in recent NHL history. Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault are about as good a shutdown center duo as you can ask for, and if they can slow down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl just a little bit, the fourth time could be the charm.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs

Andrew: 6; Trey: 10

It’s been mixed results for the Maple Leafs with their deadline pick-ups, as Brandon Carlo has paired nicely with Morgan Rielly (59.2% xGF, 9-5 goal differential at 5-on-5) while Scott Laughton has struggled to assimilate. Toronto has lots of depth up front, but could be in trouble if Jake McCabe‘s injury lingers. Winning the Atlantic Division would be massive for their chances of winning the first round and finally going deep. However, a potential Battle of Ontario certainly won’t be a cakewalk.

T-7. Edmonton Oilers

Andrew: 8; Trey: 6

Though they feel a bit more sluggish than the last few years, this is still an Oilers team with two of the best players in the world up front and a defense that’s at least good enough. However, Stuart Skinner‘s -3.9 goals saved above expected is the worst mark of any starter whose team is in playoff contention. With Evander Kane looking less and less likely to join them this season, the onus will be even heavier on McDavid and Draisaitl.

T-7. Florida Panthers

Andrew: 10; Trey: 4

On paper, the Panthers would be higher in my rankings. But who knows how effective Matthew Tkachuk will be after injury (and Aleksander Barkov, to a lesser extent, given his injury isn’t as lengthy), and Aaron Ekblad will be suspended for their first two playoff games, which will likely be on the road.

T-7. Winnipeg Jets

Andrew: 5; Trey: 9

It’s not over yet, but there’s a good chance they will hold off the Stars for first place in the Central Division. That’s the difference between being potential underdogs in round one versus being favored to reach round three. The Jets have only done that once (2018), and 2021 is the only other time they’ve won a playoff series. This is the time for Hellebuyck to show he can handle high-pressure playoff netminding.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

Andrew: 7; Trey: 3

For the first time since 2007, the Lightning are set to embark on a playoff run with Steven Stamkos out of the picture. Granted, that oversells it a bit, as Stamkos only played one game in the 2016 and 2020 playoffs, which ended in a tight Eastern Conference Final loss and championship, respectively.

5. Dallas Stars

Andrew: 9; Trey: 1

Like Florida, Dallas is lower on my list because of injuries, mostly because of Miro Heiskanen‘s likely absence in the first round. In their two second-round meetings in the last five years against the Avalanche, Heiskanen has 17 points (the most of any Star), a 52.9% expected goals share, and a 14-9 advantage in on-ice goal differential. His absence could be enough to shift the series.

T-2. Colorado Avalanche

Andrew: 7; Trey: 3

If the Avalanche have a great playoff run this year, it will be fascinating to see the conversation that comes about roster construction. Their playoff roster could have five forwards, two defensemen, and both goalies who played for different teams during the year. Credit Chris MacFarland for not sitting on his hands and going all out to improve his team. It reminds me a bit of the 2021 Atlanta Braves and how they acquired four different outfielders at the deadline after Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL, then went on to win the World Series.

T-2. Carolina Hurricanes

Andrew: 2; Trey: 7

Getting past the first round for the fourth straight season is very likely for Carolina, and that’s no small feat. But at some point in the second or third round, we may need to have the high-end talent conversation with the Hurricanes again. While Eric Tulsky did recoup solid value for Mikko Rantanen, a playoff run without him or Martin Nečas feels unlikely to be the one that gets the Hurricanes over the hump.

T-2. Washington Capitals

Andrew: 1; Trey: 8

Trey has them at eight, presumably for the Great Eight. I have them at one, not technically for the Great One, but because I think they’re amazing. Either way, it’s already a successful season in D.C.

1. Vegas Golden Knights

Andrew: 3; Trey: 2

Despite a potential Achilles heel between the pipes, Vegas is about as well-rounded a team as they come. This is the third straight month they’ve finished in our combined top two, and they’ve never been lower than sixth this season. Keep that consistency up in the playoffs, and the Golden Knights can once again make things come up aces.

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