As the NHL season approaches the halfway mark, Week 11 of the 2025-26 season has provided fans with plenty of excitement and movement in the power rankings. Several teams have solidified their positions as contenders, while others are fighting to stay in the playoff picture. Here's a breakdown of how the league stacks up:

Top Tier:

The Colorado Avalanche continue to hold the top spot in the league, showcasing their dominance with a 23-2-7 record. Their consistent performance, earning points in all but two games this season, is a testament to their well-rounded roster and excellent coaching. Led by Nathan MacKinnon, who recently became the first player to reach 30 goals and 60 points this season, and Cale Makar, the Avalanche are firing on all cylinders.

The Dallas Stars remain a close second, trailing the Avalanche by just four points. Their strong record of 22-7-5 demonstrates their ability to compete with the league's best.

Contenders on the Rise:

The Carolina Hurricanes have surged up the rankings after a perfect 4-0-0 week, bringing their record to 21-9-2. While three of those wins came in shootouts, their ability to secure victories in close games is a valuable asset.

The Minnesota Wild have also been impressive, going 3-0-0 in Week 10. The acquisition of Quinn Hughes has seemingly energized the team, though a recent loss to the Avalanche served as a reminder that they still have work to do to reach true contender status.

The New York Islanders, quietly putting together a strong season, also went undefeated in Week 10. Their solid play has earned them a spot among the league's top teams.

Vegas Golden Knights are demonstrating a solid performance with a record of 16-6-9.

Teams to Watch:

The Tampa Bay Lightning, currently holding a record of 19-13-3, are showing resilience despite dealing with injuries. Coach Jon Cooper's ability to keep the team competitive has him in the running for the Jack Adams Award.

The Florida Panthers, after a strong week that included a win over the Lightning, are also a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.

Biggest Drops:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have fallen significantly in the rankings. Meanwhile, other teams that were expected to be contenders have also struggled to maintain their positions. The Los Angeles Kings have struggled, losing nine of their last 13 games.

Other Notable Teams:

The Anaheim Ducks continue to be a team just outside the top 10. The Detroit Red Wings have shown improvement and are making a push towards a playoff spot.

Teams in Transition:

Several teams find themselves in the middle of the pack, with varying degrees of optimism. The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing questions about their performance and are looking for solutions to their struggles. The Vancouver Canucks find themselves near the bottom of the rankings.

The weeks ahead

As the NHL season progresses, the competition is expected to intensify. With the trade deadline approaching, teams will be looking to make moves to improve their rosters and solidify their chances of making the playoffs. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining which teams are true contenders and which ones will be fighting for a playoff spot. The roster freeze from December 20th to 28th will force teams to work with what they have, testing their depth and adaptability.