NHL power rankings: Senators improving just in time for their captain’s return

Nov 24, 2025, 09:13 EST

Ottawa Senators center Tim Sttzle (18) is surrounded by his teammates after assisting on a goal during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.

Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

With Hunter Crowther

The 2025-26 season continues to be a weird one for the NHL. On top of players dropping left and right with injuries, including important names like Connor Hellebuyck, the parity is airtight, even as we approach the American Thanksgiving threshold. Only the Avalanche look like one of the league’s truly elite teams, and only six teams are below a .500 points percentage. This could mean that the playoff race ends up being an exciting one this season, but it may also mean that, for those armchair GMs, we don’t see as much trade action as past seasons.

Hunter Crowther and I navigate through the season with another year of our co-op power rankings. I have my same old system in which I aggregate six stats (points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick) to come up with a list that eliminates my own biases, along with a rule that no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead of them in the standings, regardless of where the aggregate places them. On the other hand, Hunter goes off his own intellect and pure vibes, and together we find a way to combine it and meet in the middle.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 16-1-5, +38
Last Week: 1st (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 1st
Scott’s Rank: 1st

Scott: The Avalanche continue on their insane run to start the season, besting the Rangers, Predators and Blackhawks to extend their winning streak to nine games. The Avs have still lost just one game in regulation all season, becoming the fourth team to do so through 20 games in NHL history. That said, there is some slight concern with that: of the other three teams, only the 2012-13 Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup, and they were the only team to play a shortened season. Colorado continues to be a step above the rest of the pack, but if I have any concerns: they may just be peaking too early. The 2022-23 Bruins know a thing or two about that.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 14-6-2, +13
Last Week: 2nd (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 3rd
Scott’s Rank: 2nd

Scott: This hasn’t exactly been the best stretch for the Canes, as they’ve been trading wins and losses for the last seven games (3-2-2). Still, they’ve got points in five of them, and they continue to play strong hockey even in the losses, as they’ve only lost the expected goals battle seven times all season. In a weakened Eastern Conference this season, the Hurricanes are emerging as the frontrunners thus far.

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 10-4-7, +7
Last Week: 4th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 2nd
Scott’s Rank: 3rd

Scott: On one hand, the Golden Knights haven’t lost in regulation over the last five games (3-0-2), but still, they’ve now gone 5-4-5 in their last 14 games. Some of that can be pointed to some bad luck, as not only has their goaltending been inconsistent, but they’ve had brutal luck beyond regulation, going 1-7 in overtime and the shootout. By the way, Carter Hart has an .875 save percentage in his first two games in the AHL, so he’s not exactly looking like the solution in net either, or at least by the Dec. 1 date that would allow him to play in the NHL.

Hunter: Everyone got a good laugh out of Mitch Marner’s game-winning assist on Saturday night against the Ducks, but the fact Vegas is still gobbling up points while their goaltending is below par tells me there’s still room for them to dominate. That being said, Akira Schmid has looked great in his last four starts, and I’ll even include the 4-3 OT loss to Anaheim.

4. Dallas Stars

Record: 13-5-4, +10
Last Week: 3rd (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 4th
Scott’s Rank: 4th

Scott: The Stars are another top team that was inconsistent last week, as they lost games to the Islanders and Flames with a win over the Canucks sandwiched in between them. Dallas got some great news with the return of captain Jamie Benn from a collapsed lung sustained in the preseason, but they’ll be without a different key forward as Mikko Rantanen has been automatically suspended for one game after getting game misconducts in two of his last three games. Considering he was also fined over the weekend, it hasn’t been a great week for Rantanen.

Hunter: I watched both of the Stars’ games after the one against the Islanders, and it felt like Rantanen was more aggressive than usual, finishing every hit and engaging more than he usually does. I wonder if someone got in his ear and told him to run with it. Either way, it cost him a game.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 12-7-2, +6
Last Week: 12th (+7)
Hunter’s Rank: 5th
Scott’s Rank: 6th

Hunter: The Lightning won all three of their games last week, scoring five times in two of those contests. Did you also know that Tampa has lost just three games since Oct. 23? That was a month ago, and one of those losses was against the Avalanche! Jake Guentzel scored a hat trick against the Devils and Brandon Hagel had two goals and two assists against the Caps — a desperately needed performance, as every pundit has erased his name from Olympic contention in the last few weeks.

Scott: The Lightning are starting to prove my preseason predictions for them right, especially amidst all of these injuries, but they may have to add two more to their plate after both Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point left Saturday’s win. That combined with Hedman is a big blow to their lineup.

6. Anaheim Ducks

Record: 14-7-1, +11
Last Week: 8th (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 6th
Scott’s Rank: 9th

Hunter: At this point, it isn’t even worth putting a bet on the Jack Adams Award, because it’s Joel Quenneville’s to lose. The Ducks are at the top of the Pacific Division with the fourth-most points in the league, the third-best goal differential, and Leo Carlsson looks like the best thing to come out of Anaheim since Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry recorded 80-plus points in 2013-14. Of course, there will be regression, with a 102 PDO and an expected goal differential that’s in the bottom third of the league, but that’s for next week’s power rankings.

Scott: Wouldn’t the looming threat of regression mean that this is the best time to vote against Quenneville for the Jack Adams?

Hunter: You think the voters pay attention to that sort of stuff?! Also, if and when the Ducks make it to the playoffs, they’ll give him the award on a platter.

Scott: My point was more that the regression may just cause them to miss the playoffs outright, which in turn means that another coach who had lower odds right now will pay off in the long run.

Hunter: True, but I don’t see Anaheim regressing enough that they fall below a Wildcard spot. Now that I’ve said that, I want to apologize to Ducks fans for the incoming 12-losses-in-14-games streak the team is about to go on.

7. Ottawa Senators

Record: 11-6-4, +1
Last Week: 17th (+10)
Hunter’s Rank: 10th
Scott’s Rank: 8th

Scott: The Senators are a weird team. They are elite defensively (probably the best one in terms of chance suppression at even strength and on the penalty kill), but when it comes to their offense, it’s the exact opposite. They rank 29th in 5v5 xGF/60 and 30th in PP xGF/60, and for my model, it’s what drags them down from being an easy top-five team right now. Maybe that will return if Brady Tkachuk comes back later this week, but that is a concern for an otherwise great team.

Hunter: I know I’ve basically handed the Jack Adams to Quenneville, but one coach who deserves consideration is Travis Green. It makes sense that their defensive metrics read out like that, because when you watch their games, they are relentless. It feels like every zone entry from the opposing team is snuffed out, and the only goals Ottawa gives up are either on the penalty kill or when a weird accident occurs.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 10-6-5, +6
Last Week: 5th (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 13th
Scott’s Rank: 5th

Scott: The Penguins had a less than ideal return to North America, as they were blown out 5-0 by the Wild on Friday and then lost a 3-2 overtime nailbiter to the Kraken on Saturday. Our managing editor analyzed whether this Penguins team is actually a legit playoff team, so I’ll leave you to check that out for a deeper dive in that regard, but there is a lot to like about this team despite the recent struggles. The same question continues to remain, though: do they keep up this run to get Crosby, Malkin and Letang one last playoff run together, or do they commit to the tank that seemed so likely at the start of the season?

9. Florida Panthers

Record: 11-9-1, -3
Last Week: 10th (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 8th
Scott’s Rank: 10th

Scott: What is up with these food-related injuries? First Jack Hughes got hurt last week cutting his hand on a piece of glass, and now Eetu Luostarinen is out for several weeks after burning himself at a barbeque. I think at this point, we need to cryogenically freeze players in between games for their safety, or at least only provide them food through a tube. What’s next, someone will get hurt eating pancakes?

But seriously, that’s another tough loss for a Panthers team already down Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Luostarinen was a big part of that line with Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand, so even though Mackie Samoskevich is a more than capable top-six forward in a pinch, it’s another big blow to Florida’s depth.

Hunter: Did you try out that pancake bit at an open mic at Comedy Bar on Bloor? I haven’t seen this many food-related jokes since the early days of Down Goes Brown and Kyle Wellwood. And by the way, where is Bloge Salming?

10. New Jersey Devils

Record: 13-7-1, +1
Last Week: 7th (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 7th
Scott’s Rank: 15th

Scott: After starting their stretch without Jack Hughes with a 3-2 win over the Capitals, the Devils have lost three straight to the Lightning, Panthers and Flyers, so maybe it’s time for a bit of concern in New Jersey. Not to worry though, Jack has taken the attention away from his team’s struggles by going on a dinner date with Tate McRae. And for those wondering, the Devils play the Blue Jackets three more times: Dec. 1, Dec. 31 & Feb. 3. Jack may be back in time for the last game in case Cole Sillinger is feeling jealous.

Hunter: My girlfriend thinks Tate McRae was created in a lab for the purpose of creating pop music for those in the hockey universe that are scared of new music. This only further illustrates the point.

11. Utah Mammoth

Record: 11-8-3, -1
Last Week: 11th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 15th
Scott’s Rank: 7th

Scott: There are some pockets of the internet that are showing concern over the Mammoth’s recent play, and while losing nine of 11 games isn’t ideal, their underlying play has still been mostly fine, aside from the odd defensive slip up. I think their hot start may have skewered some expectations for this team, but they’re currently in a playoff spot which is where they were hoping to be, so we shouldn’t be concerned over them just yet.

12. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 10-6-6, -3
Last Week: 9th (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 11th
Scott’s Rank: 11th

Scott: At this point, I’m done doubting the Kings. They’re still far from Stanley Cup contention with this roster, but I’ll at least admit that I was wrong about them being a bad team this year. They still have plenty of offensive concerns, but despite my worries over their defense with the additions of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, Los Angeles is still good defensively. I don’t expect them to go far in the playoffs, but they’ve at least bunkered down a playoff spot in the early going.

Hunter: I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Ken Holland to make some type of massive trade with the logic being it’s Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty’s last dance together. Typically, those types of moves being fuelled by nostalgia fail spectacularly, but they’re in Hollywood, people! Anything can happen!

13. Detroit Red Wings

Record: 13-8-1, -4
Last Week: 16th (+3)
Hunter’s Rank: 9th
Scott’s Rank: 14th

Hunter: The Red Wings won two of three games last week and are currently first in the Atlantic Division. Let me repeat that, but with context: it’s the week of U.S. Thanksgiving, and the Detroit Red Wings are leading the Atlantic Division. Combine that with the success of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, and this is the happiest Michiganders have been since Kid Rock moved to Florida. Lucas Raymond scored in three of his last four contests, while Moritz Seider has also found the scoresheet in five of his last six.

14. Seattle Kraken

Record: 11-5-6, -2
Last Week: 13th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 18th
Scott’s Rank: 12th

Scott: As the season goes along, there does look to be a little bit more legitimacy to the Kraken as a playoff team, as five of my six categories that I use for my model are in the top 15. The problem is that the one that isn’t is last in the league, and it’s a big one that’s ailed Seattle for their entire franchise history: 5v5 chance generation. They still lack the high-end talent to drive that, and it’s showing even more this year. They’re in a good spot right now playoff-wise, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this issue became a problem later in the season and cost them a spot.

15. Montreal Canadiens

Record: 11-7-3, -4
Last Week: 15th (0)
Hunter’s Rank: 16th
Scott’s Rank: 16th

Scott: After a stretch of seven losses in eight games, the Canadiens finally bounced back and got a win… over an equally struggling Leafs squad. We’ll wait and see if they’re truly back after a few more games, but it is clear that this team isn’t the juggernaut that they looked to be at the start of the season, and they are in desperate need of a second-line center.

Hunter: Usually, I’d say a win over your arch rival is the perfect fuse to light the tinder box, but as Scott said, we’ll wait and see. As for Jakub Dobes, he’s really struggled since he suffered his first loss of the season against the Devils on Nov. 6, which he got emotional over during the post-game scrum. In those four games since, he’s gone 1-2-1 with an .839 SV%, giving up 14 goals on 73 shots for a goals against average of 4.24.

16. Washington Capitals

Record: 11-9-2, +9
Last Week: 26th (+10)
Hunter’s Rank: 19th
Scott’s Rank: 13th

Hunter: Every year, it feels like we fall for Alex Ovechkin’s slow starts — this year only scoring three goals through the Capitals’ first 15 games — then something awakens inside The Great 8 and he reminds us why he’s the greatest goal scorer in the history of the game.

With goals in five of his last seven contests, including a hat trick in a 8-4 win over the Canadiens on Thursday, Ovechkin now has 10 goals through 22 games. There’s a non-zero percent chance he hits the 30-goal mark for the 20th time in his career, and perhaps the 40-goal mark for the 15th time. Don’t bet against greatness.

Side note: Tom Wilson has 11 goals and is in the top-20 among all NHL skaters in expected goals. We’ve spent lots of time talking about Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard when it comes to Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster — and rightfully so — but Wilson’s name deserves to be in the conversation and not be met with an eyeroll when brought up.

Don’t forget: February’s tournament will be played on an NHL-sized rink, not the traditional international-sized one. Tighter spaces and international pride make for game-changing moments.

17. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 12-9-0, +8
Last Week: 14th (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 14th
Scott’s Rank: 20th

Hunter: It was reported last week that Connor Hellebuyck would be out four to six weeks following knee surgery. How did the Jets do in his absence? They went 1-2-0, with Eric Comrie giving up nine goals on 80 shots. Expect AHL call-up Thomas Milic to get a start this week. Also, after a red-hot start in October, Mark Scheifele has two goals in his last 10 games and the chatter around him making Canada’s Olympic roster is starting to cool.

Scott: I’ve been nagging the Jets all season for their poor play in front of Hellebuyck, and while I don’t think Eric Comrie is a bad goaltender, I do think Hellebuyck is one of the few goalies capable of covering up the Jets’ defensive mess. It’s improved since Dylan Samberg’s return, but I still think this is the kind of stretch that will put the Jets out of the playoff picture. But if it doesn’t, maybe the extra rest for Hellebuyck will pay off in the playoffs.

18. New York Rangers

Record: 10-11-2, -3
Last Week: 6th (-12)
Hunter’s Rank: 12th
Scott’s Rank: 22nd

Scott: For the record, the Rangers would be 13th for me if not for the five-point rule I have, as their record is really lagging them behind the rest of the Eastern Conference. I still say from a standpoint of their on-ice play that they’ll bounce back, but the recent “straight-legged skating” from J.T. Miller (their CAPTAIN of all people) makes me wonder if the team still isn’t psychologically there. That may be the only thing stopping this team from actually being a legit contender this year.

19. New York Islanders

Record: 13-8-2, +5
Last Week: 20th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 17th
Scott’s Rank: 19th

Hunter: Let’s talk about Matthew Schae— just kidding, let’s talk Patrick Roy.

During last week’s Islanders-Stars game, Rantanen delivered a hit on Alexander Romanov — who will be out five-to-six months with a shoulder injury — and was given a game misconduct. Roy reportedly* told Rantanen on his way out that his team was “not going to f–king finish” the two team’s rematch in March.

*I said reportedly, even though there’s tape that shows Roy saying it clear as day .

Did Roy go too far? There may not be a “right” answer, but there’s definitely one absolute truth: the NHL wants more of this. They want teams to hate each other. They want animosity in regular-season games that are typically snoozefests. If they didn’t, dangerous plays like Rantanen’s hit would get suspended (it wasn’t), or they would suspend Rantanen’s second hit for more than the mandatory one-game suspension he was already going to receive (they didn’t), or they would hire someone to head their Department of Player Safety whose previous job wasn’t to bareknuckle fist fight on a nightly basis (they didn’t).

At this point, let the Islanders dress all of Ogie Ogilthorpe, Tommy Hanrahan, Tim ‘Dr. Hook’ McCracken and Ross ‘Mad Dog’ Madison. Don’t even count the one-game contracts against the salary cap. Give the fans — and the league — what they really want: a fight.

20. Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 11-6-3, +4
Last Week: 18th (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 20th
Scott’s Rank: 18th

Hunter: The Flyers won both their games last week, including an emphatic 6-3 victory over their division rival in the Devils. Trevor Zegras is playing the best hockey we’ve seen in years, on pace to reach career highs in all categories. While the team as a whole is struggling to generate many chances, they’ve allowed the least amount of shots in the league and are in the middle of the pack in most team stats, including goal differential, Corsi, expected goal differential per 60, goals for per 60.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

Record: 11-8-3, -3
Last Week: 19th (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 23rd
Scott’s Rank: 17th

Hunter: In last week’s episode of “Hockey Fans Get Insecure About Nothing,” The Ringer’s Bill Simmons called the Blue Jackets the “most irrelevant franchise in professional sports.” If we’re being honest, what did he say that’s wrong? They have won just one seven-game Stanley Cup Playoff series in their franchise history, they’ve had one 100-point campaign, they have never finished higher than third in their division. If you can think of a better answer among the four major North American professional men’s leagues, I’m all ears.

Oh and Adam Fantilli owns the Maple Leafs.

Scott: If anything, the Blue Jackets just got further ammunition for this season to prove Simmons wrong.

Hunter: And they already have the cannon! Thanks for that, Doug MacLean!

22. Minnesota Wild

Record: 12-7-4, +4
Last Week: 27th (+5)
Hunter’s Rank: 22nd
Scott’s Rank: 21st

Hunter: Speaking of irrelevant teams …

Kidding, kidding, the Wild actually make the playoffs nearly every season, and they’ve recorded five 100-point campaigns in the last 10 seasons (remember when Minnesota nearly tripped into a Stanley Cup Final in 2002-03, just their third season in the league, with the tandem of Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez?!).

As for present day, the Wild have won five straight and have recorded three shutouts during that span, as both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt look dominant in the crease. Next week, Minnesota faces division rivals in the Blackhawks and Avalanche, which will be important barometers for how good this team really is.

23. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 10-9-5, -13
Last Week: 22nd (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 21st
Scott’s Rank: 24th

Hunter: Let’s take a time machine back to Nov. 24, 2024: The Oilers are 11-9-2 with 24 points in 22 games, having just defeated Utah 4-3 in overtime. They are fourth in the Pacific Division and hold on to the No. 2 Wildcard spot in the Western Conference. They also have 64 goals for and 69 against, giving them a minus-five goal differential.

Jump to present day: Edmonton is 10-9-5 with 25 points through 24 games, on the heels of a 6-3 win over the Panthers in a rematch of last spring’s Stanley Cup Final. They are fifth in the Pacific and tied with the Mammoth for second in the Wild Card.

The major difference? Their goal differential this season is minus-13, putting them in the bottom five of the league standings. Their combined save percentage between Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard is .874, which despite the league average dropping to below .900 for the first time since 1995-96, is still really bad — so bad that it’s tied for last in the league. They have allowed at least four goals in 11 of their 24 games.

I keep hearing how difficult it is to make trades midseason, how teams struggle to make the money work, how they don’t have the assets. You know what else is hard? Literally every other job, ever — hockey-related or not. To face issues through your work is not unique, yet we just give the NHL’s 32 general managers a pass, and it’s dumbfounding.

Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman is arguably the most successful GM in the post-lockout era, having won three Stanley Cups and reached a fourth Final last spring. Sure, he may have inherited those teams, and his actual impact on those teams is open to debate, but Stanley Cup rings shine bright and championship banners fly forever.

If Bowman ever wants to get close to another Stanley Cup Final, he needs to find a way to improve the Oilers’ goaltending. If not, Edmonton CEO Jeff Jackson can find someone who will. And if he can’t, then Connor McDavid will go out and find a group who are willing to.

24. Chicago Blackhawks

Record: 10-8-4, +7
Last Week: 21st (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 24th
Scott’s Rank: 25th

Hunter: Three losses this week, including a 9-3 drubbing at the hands of the Sabres, quickly threw cold water on the Blackhawks’ magical start to the 2025-26 campaign. That being said, Chicago responded to the Buffalo defeat with a strong performance against the best team in the league in the Avalanche, coming out strong in the first and holding them to a 1-0 game. Good to see Tyler Bertuzzi get in the lineup with three goals in his first two games back from injury.

25. Boston Bruins

Record: 13-11-0, -2
Last Week: 23rd (-2)
Hunter’s Rank: 25th
Scott’s Rank: 26th

Hunter: The Bruins lost three of four last week, including two during their California road trip. The Bruins are in the bottom-third in most traditional and analytical categories, so the expectations are low as we enter the U.S. holidays. But I’m sure I’ll be labelled a turkey when they eventually win three straight against the Islanders, Rangers and Red Wings next week.

26. Buffalo Sabres

Record: 9-9-4, -4
Last Week: 28th (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 28th
Scott’s Rank: 23rd

Scott: I know we keep saying this and getting burned, but don’t count out the Sabres just yet this season! There is still some potential for this lineup if they get healthy, although that is a big if considering how many players are hurt. I think Zach Benson is the key absence though, as he was electric in his brief return to the lineup, and he’s been underrated defensively. I really, really want to believe that this team will get to the playoffs this year, but they still have to put a consistent run together.

Hunter: If we don’t get the Moneyball-like winning streak by the end of January, I’m sticking a fork in them. Until then, I will begrudgingly watch and quietly root for this team to be relevant.

27. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 9-10-3, -8
Last Week: 24th (-3)
Hunter’s Rank: 26th
Scott’s Rank: 29th

Hunter: I’ve been watching Leafs hockey my entire life, and there’s nuances in the day-to-day coverage of the team you pick up on. You can sense the moods of players and coaches in the morning skates, the post-game interviews, those hastily built sets with the team logo on a foldable sheet behind the interview subjects, with more than a dozen microphones and recorders and phones held by the hands of reporters with unclipped fingernails in the faces of frustrated professional athletes.

In the last few weeks, this team … I’ve seen this movie before. The team can’t find a way to win, the same cliches repeated over and over. Players aren’t looking reporters in the eyes when they answer questions. The head coach’s tone shifts from “Are you going to ask that same f–king question again?” to shrugged shoulders with a grin, like they’re telling those same reporters and God themself, “I don’t know what else I can do.”

The thing is, that’s usually in February or March, when the team has given everything they can, when the postseason is out of reach and the coach’s three- or four-year run. We’re in November. November. Parents haven’t made their kids switch from their fall to winter jackets, and Christmas commercials aren’t filling every break in the action.

And with Auston Matthews out for who-knows-how-long-because-this-team-won’t-share-any-information, and the goalie tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll providing nothing like they did last season, and Craig Berube running out of ideas beyond scolding William Nylander … What else can you do? Look at Daily Faceoff’s lineup page for the Leafs: half the damn lineup is injured.

Whatever the solution is, they need to figure it out fast. There’s only one thing worse for a professional sports franchise than fans being mad: fans being apathetic. That’s right around the corner.

Scott: Honestly, listening to Brad Treliving’s press conference last Tuesday left me more concerned than anything. You want to stick by your head coach? Sure, I get that. You don’t think a trade will fix things? Okay, but now you’re starting to contradict your belief in your head coach if you think the new player will only join the free fall and not help them out of it. But if the roster shouldn’t be changed, and the coach shouldn’t be changed, doesn’t that tell ownership that management is the thing that should be changed if this keeps getting worse? Considering how much of Treliving’s recent roster decisions have backfired on him (are they really going to hand the Bruins another top-10 pick?), maybe he is the one to blame.

28. San Jose Sharks

Record: 11-9-3, -4
Last Week: 30th (+2)
Hunter’s Rank: 27th
Scott’s Rank: 30th

Hunter: After disappointing losses to the Flames and Kraken, the Sharks won three of four games last week and are now 11-9-3 on the season. That’s … basically average? Right in the middle of the pack in the standings? Why isn’t anyone talking about Yaroslav Askarov, whose .913 SV% is tied for fourth in the league, which is even more impressive when you consider the Sharks have faced the second-most shots in the league? Scott hit the nail on the head last week when discussing the Predators’ decision to move him.

29. Vancouver Canucks

Record: 9-12-2, -15
Last Week: 25th (-4)
Hunter’s Rank: 29th
Scott’s Rank: 28th

Hunter: After defeating the Capitals on Oct. 19, the Canucks have just five wins in their last 17 games. They’re just outside the top five in goal differential, 32nd in the league in expected goal differential, yet are somehow in the top 10 for goals differential above expected. Translation? They’re somehow playing better than they should, and right now, they’re really bad. Whatever remaining credit goes to Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson, whose “Give A S–t” level has increased as of late.

Scott: It’s starting to look like we’re seeing the old Elias Pettersson return. It still feels like there’s another gear or two left, but this is probably the best he’s looked since signing his extension nearly two years ago. Between this and J.T. Miller’s struggles, it’s starting to look like the Canucks made the right choice there.

30. St. Louis Blues

Record: 7-9-6, -23
Last Week: 29th (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 31st
Scott’s Rank: 27th

Hunter: This team sucks! But as Jim Rome often says: “Saying something sucks is not a take.” So I will give an honest take related to this team: Credit to Justin Faulk, who just played his 1,000th career game, becoming just the 137th defenseman in league history to reach the milestone. Faulk has six goals and 12 points in 22 games and is playing well enough that the Blues could eat half of his $6.5 million cap hit and shop him around the league, even with one year beyond the current one.

31. Calgary Flames

Record: 8-13-3, -14
Last Week: 32nd (+1)
Hunter’s Rank: 30th
Scott’s Rank: 31st

Scott: Would you believe me if I told you the Flames were the best defensive team this season, at least according to expected goals? Their three-game winning streak has at least proven that they’re more than the disaster that they were to start the season, but they still have no scoring touch. Tanking is still the right way to go, even if management wants to plug their ears and pretend that they shouldn’t try and get Gavin McKenna.

32. Nashville Predators

Record: 6-11-4, -24
Last Week: 31st (-1)
Hunter’s Rank: 32nd
Scott’s Rank: 32nd

Scott: The Predators only played one game last week, but it was a 3-0 loss to the top team in the league in the Avalanche, so we can probably cut them some slack. That said, Nashville has been shut out for two straight games and only has one goal in regulation in their last three, so it’s still far from ideal. The clock keeps ticking on coach Andrew Brunette’s job, even if GM Barry Trotz should probably be the one paying the price.

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