Tampa Bay’s hot streak and Brayden Point’s return make them a strong short-term bet — consider backing Tampa in upcoming matchups. Injuries to stars like Mikko Rantanen and Sidney Crosby, plus deadline moves such as Colorado acquiring Brett Kulak, can shift moneyline and futures prices; bettors should monitor injury updates and trade activity before placing deadline-week wagers.
NHL Power Rankings: Post-Olympic Reset and Trade-Deadline Watch
The NHL returns from the Olympic break with a 12-game slate looming and the trade deadline eight days away. Teams are recalibrating — some riding momentum, others dealing with injuries or roster moves. This power-ranking roundup checks the form, key transactions, injuries and immediate implications for playoff races and bettors.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning — Rolling with renewed depth
Tampa Bay has won 20 of 22 and got a lift as Brayden Point returned to action. With Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy rested during the break, the Bolts look deeper and fresher than most.
2. Colorado Avalanche — Adding defense ahead of deadline
Colorado bolstered the blue line by acquiring Brett Kulak. The Avs returned with a win but remain only modestly consistent since the new year. Expect Colorado to shop for balance.
3. Dallas Stars — Hit by a key injury
Mikko Rantanen’s Olympic injury sidelines him for at least two weeks, a major blow to Dallas’s Presidents’ Trophy hopes. Short-term form could dip while they adjust.
4. Carolina Hurricanes — Goalkeeper extension and cap flexibility
Carolina locked up breakout goalie Brandon Bussi and carries significant cap room, making them a deadline player to watch for complementary forwards or a scoring boost.
5. Minnesota Wild — Active roster construction
Minnesota’s front office has been aggressive, and the Wild remain a threat to add pieces that push them further up the standings as the deadline approaches.
6. Montreal Canadiens — Healthier and deeper
Montreal’s lineup is getting healthier with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook available again, setting up some tough roster decisions as they chase playoff positioning.
7. Buffalo Sabres — Contract decisions loom
Buffalo must weigh whether to re-sign pending UFA Alex Tuch before the deadline while pushing for a postseason return for the first time since 2011.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets — Coaching bounce and surge
Under new coaching, Columbus has surged, winning seven straight and 11 of 12 to crash back into playoff conversation.
9. Boston Bruins — From sellers to potential buyers
Boston, now holding a playoff spot, could pivot to adding help rather than selling, a significant reversal from last year’s deadline strategy.
10. Vegas Golden Knights — Quiet but dangerous
Vegas sits in striking distance of the Pacific’s top spot. Their approach at the deadline will determine whether they push for maximum seeding.
11. Detroit Red Wings — Still uneven late in games
Detroit feels steadier than last season’s post-break fade but has had few full 60-minute efforts recently — an area of concern down the stretch.
12. New York Islanders — Rookie impact and elite goaltending
Matthew Schaefer’s rookie rise and Ilya Sorokin’s consistency have the Isles in position to secure home ice in Round 1 if they sustain this form.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins — Crosby’s injury cloud
Sidney Crosby’s knee issue from the Olympics complicates Pittsburgh’s push. The Pens need depth to hold a playoff spot while Crosby heals.
14. Anaheim Ducks — Leo Carlsson returns with a bang
Leo Carlsson’s three-point comeback game spotlighted Anaheim’s need to solidify a playoff bid after his extended absence.
15. Washington Capitals — Midseason make-or-break
Pierre-Luc Dubois returned to action, and Washington must convert early-season promise into a late push to justify last season’s success.
16. Ottawa Senators — Goaltending stabilizes momentum
Improved netminding had Ottawa heating up before the break. They open with critical matchups against Detroit and Toronto that could set the tone.
17. Utah Mammoth — Young roster, deadline assets
Logan Cooley returned after a long layoff. With multiple 2026 second-round picks, Utah could be active buyers as they chase a playoff berth in Year 2.
18. Seattle Kraken — Wild-card tension and trade rumors
Seattle occupies a wild-card spot and will likely prioritize the present. Shane Wright trade chatter could spark movement, depending on the right deal.
19. Edmonton Oilers — Goaltending roulette continues
Edmonton blew a lead and swapped goalies midgame vs. Anaheim. Ongoing goalie instability could influence their short-term results.
20. Toronto Maple Leafs — On the brink of a decision
Toronto’s loss to Tampa increases pressure; another defeat could force management toward selling at the deadline rather than buying.
21. Florida Panthers — Uncertain net situation
Rumors suggest a split with Sergei Bobrovsky might be possible. The Panthers look like a gap-year team unless a key move resuscitates momentum.
22. Los Angeles Kings — New faces and missing pieces
A recent debut from Artemi Panarin helped create offense, but Kevin Fiala’s season-ending injury raises questions about whether the Kings chase more scoring.
23. San Jose Sharks — Young core seeks veteran help
Kiefer Sherwood’s arrival is a small piece; San Jose must decide whether to add experienced support to give Macklin Celebrini room to grow.
24. Nashville Predators — Waiting game approach
Predators look likely to be conservative at the deadline, preferring to maintain playoff contention rather than sell off assets.
25. Winnipeg Jets — Still dreaming of a push
Winnipeg insists it can still reach the playoffs. Connor Hellebuyck’s strong showing internationally complicates betting against them.
26. Chicago Blackhawks — Potential trade participants
Chicago won’t buy for a run, but the Blackhawks could be aggressive in trade conversations to reshape their core beyond last year’s moves.
27. Philadelphia Flyers — Slide and potential exits
A six-week free-fall has left the Flyers searching for answers; Rasmus Ristolainen is among names generating deadline interest.
28. New Jersey Devils — A disappointing season
New Jersey’s struggles leave them near the bottom of the standings, and a high-profile separation — possibly Dougie Hamilton — could be on the table.
29. Calgary Flames — Re-tooling under pressure
Blake Coleman looks likely to be moved and Nazem Kadri’s future could be in flux as Calgary enters critical re-tool decisions.
30. St. Louis Blues — The ultimate deadline wildcard
St. Louis could be the most intriguing team at the deadline if GM Doug Armstrong fields the right offers for established, under-contract scorers.
31. New York Rangers — Big moves already made
After a major pre-break trade, New York may have more dominoes to fall, with further roster shakeups possible before the deadline.
32. Vancouver Canucks — More assets could move
Tyler Myers and other non-core players may become trade fodder as Vancouver seeks to reshape its roster heading into next season.
What to watch this week
Injury updates, final trade chatter and short-term form will drive lines and futures through the deadline. Bettors should track confirmation windows for star availability and monitor any last-minute roster additions or subtractions that can quickly alter odds.
Connor Hellebuyck joins list of Olympic legends awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
After best-on-best returned to the Olympics in fine fashion, Ryan Dixon checks in with every team as NHL action resumes in this week’s power rankings.
Sportsnet
