LISTEN UP, HOCKEY FANATICS! The NHL ice is melting under the heat of a mid-December war path! We’ve got juggernauts extending their dominance and former kings falling into the abyss. This isn’t just a game; it’s a high-speed collision course for the Cup!
Here is your weekly war report for the period ending December 21, 2025:
THE ELITE FIVE: THE MOUNTAINTOP
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Colorado (1st, 1635) The Avalanche are essentially playing a different sport! They pounded Seattle and Utah this week before an absolute statement win—destroying Minnesota 5-1 on Sunday. They are sitting on a 21% chance to hoist the Cup, and with a playoff probability of over 99%, the rest of the league is just fighting for second place!
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Dallas (2nd, 1594) Total. Offensive. Annihilation. The Stars didn’t just win this week; they committed larceny. An 8-3 blowout of Anaheim followed by a 5-1 thrashing of Toronto? This team is deep, dangerous, and holds an 11% chance to win it all.
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Washington (3, +1, 1547) The Capitals survive a rocky week to climb a rung! Despite a shutout loss to the Wild, they managed to stifle Toronto 4-0. They’re clinging to a 79% playoff chance, but they better find some consistency before the Metropolitan sharks start circling.
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Minnesota (4, +2, 1540) A week of polar opposites! They looked like gods in a 5-0 shutout of Washington and a 5-2 win over Edmonton, but they got a reality check from the Avs to end the week. Still, they jumped 2 spots and boast a massive 93% playoff probability.
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Vegas (4, -1, 1540) The Golden Knights are bleeding! They dropped a shootout to New Jersey, got doubled up by Calgary, and surrendered 4 goals to Edmonton. They fall to a tie for 4th, and their playoff odds have slipped to 86%.
THE VELOCITY REPORT
BIGGEST RISERS
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Buffalo (17, +8, 1492): The Sabres are on a TEAR! Eight spots in one week? They took down Philly, the Isles, and New Jersey. Their playoff hopes have spiked to 37%. Don’t look now, but the Sabres are relevant!
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Ottawa (12, +6, 1511): The Sens are surging! They crushed Pittsburgh and Chicago, moving up 6 spots. They now have a 55% chance to make the dance.
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St. Louis (13, +5, 1505): A 5-spot jump after a massive 6-2 win over Florida. They’re still long shots with 30% playoff odds, but they’re showing life!
BIGGEST FALLERS
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Pittsburgh (21, -10, 1488): A total collapse! Ten spots gone in seven days. Getting shut out by Montreal and Ottawa? Brutal. Their playoff odds plummeted to 38%.
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NY Islanders (15, -5, 1497): Falling like a stone. They lost to Detroit, Vancouver, and Buffalo. A 56% playoff chance feels shaky right now.
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NY Rangers (26, -5, 1471): The Broadway Blues are real. They fell 5 spots and are staring at a grim 26% chance to see the postseason.
DIVISION DOGFIGHTS
Atlantic Division
It is a bloodbath in the Atlantic! Detroit (10, +2, 1517) has clawed into the top spot with a 20% chance to win the division. But watch out—Montreal (13, +2, 1505) is right on their heels at 15%, and Tampa Bay (6, -1, 1535) is still the heavy favorite to actually win it at 26% despite a minor dip!
Metropolitan Division
Carolina (7, 1525) is the undisputed king of the Metro with a 41% chance to take the crown. Washington (3, +1, 1547) is trying to keep pace at 26%, but they lost ground this week. Philadelphia (19, +4, 1489) is the sleeper, moving up to a 9% divisional win probability!
Central Division
Welcome to the Colorado Invitational. The Avalanche have an 80% stranglehold on this division. Dallas is the only team within shouting distance at 18%. Everyone else? You’re just playing for a Wild Card spot. Winnipeg, St. Louis, and Chicago all have less than a 1% chance to win the Central.
Pacific Division
The most chaotic race in hockey! Vegas collapsed this week, seeing their division win odds tank from 55% to 37%. That opened the door for Edmonton (9, +4, 1524), who saw their odds jump to 20%, and Los Angeles (7, +1, 1525), now sitting at 21%. Anaheim (22, -1, 1487) rounds out the top four at 16%.
Here’s the rankings and ratings. Changes shown are from last week’s report.
The top 5
1. Colorado Avalanche (1635, ▲16)
Record: 26-2-7, 1st in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: >99%
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 78% (▲8)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 21% (▲3)
Last week: 3-0-0
- December 16: Won 5-3 @ Seattle Kraken (31st, 1446)
- December 19: Won 3-2 vs. Winnipeg Jets (19th, 1489)
- December 21: Won 5-1 @ Minnesota Wild (4th, 1540)
Next week:
- December 23: vs. Utah Mammoth (25th, 1476)
- December 27: @ Vegas Golden Knights (4th, 1540)
2. Dallas Stars (1594, ▲23)
Record: 25-7-5, 2nd in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: >99% (▲2)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 17% (▲6)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 11% (▲2)
Last week: 4-0-0
- December 15: Won 4-1 vs. Los Angeles Kings (7th, 1525)
- December 18: Won 5-3 @ San Jose Sharks (32nd, 1431)
- December 19: Won 8-3 @ Anaheim Ducks (22nd, 1487)
- December 21: Won 5-1 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (18th, 1491)
Next week:
- December 23: @ Detroit Red Wings (10th, 1517)
- December 27: vs. Chicago Blackhawks (30th, 1448)
3. Washington Capitals ▲1 (1547, ▼10)
Record: 19-12-5, 2nd in Metropolitan Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 79% (▼5)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 1% (▼2)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 6% (▼1)
Last week: 1-2-1
- December 16: Lost 5-0 @ Minnesota Wild (4th, 1540)
- December 18: Won 4-0 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (18th, 1491)
- December 20: Lost 5-2 vs. Detroit Red Wings (10th, 1517)
- December 21: Lost in OT 3-2 @ Detroit Red Wings (10th, 1517)
Next week:
- December 23: vs. New York Rangers (26th, 1471)
- December 27: @ New Jersey Devils (24th, 1477)
4 (tie). Minnesota Wild ▲3 (1540, ▲13)
Record: 22-10-5, 3rd in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 93% (▲7)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 1% (▼1)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 4%
Last week: 3-1-0
- December 16: Won 5-0 vs. Washington Capitals (3rd, 1547)
- December 18: Won 5-2 @ Columbus Blue Jackets (29th, 1454)
- December 20: Won 5-2 vs. Edmonton Oilers (9th, 1524)
- December 21: Lost 5-1 vs. Colorado Avalanche (1st, 1635)
Next week:
- December 23: vs. Nashville Predators (28th, 1463)
- December 27: @ Winnipeg Jets (19th, 1489)
4 (tie). Vegas Golden Knights ▼1 (1540, ▼18)
Record: 16-8-10, 2nd in Pacific Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 86% (▼7)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 1% (▼4)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 5% (▼3)
Last week: 0-2-1
- December 17: Lost in SO 2-1 vs. New Jersey Devils (24th, 1477)
- December 20: Lost 6-3 @ Calgary Flames (15th, 1497)
- December 21: Lost 4-3 @ Edmonton Oilers (9th, 1524)
Next week:
- December 23: vs. San Jose Sharks (32nd, 1431)
- December 27: vs. Colorado Avalanche (1st, 1635)
Overall Ratings
1 Colorado Avalanche 1635 (▲16) 2 Dallas Stars 1594 (▲23) 3 Washington Capitals (▲1) 1547 (▼10) 4 (tie) Minnesota Wild (▲3) 1540 (▲13) 4 (tie) Vegas Golden Knights (▼1) 1540 (▼18) 6 Tampa Bay Lightning (▼1) 1535 (▼11) 7 (tie) Carolina Hurricanes (▲1) 1525 (▲1) 7 (tie) Los Angeles Kings (▼1) 1525 (▼4) 9 Edmonton Oilers (▲3) 1524 (▲17) 10 Detroit Red Wings (▲1) 1517 (▲7) 11 Florida Panthers (▲2) 1512 (▲6) 12 Ottawa Senators (▲8) 1511 (▲22) 13 (tie) Montreal Canadiens (▲2) 1505 (▲5) 13 (tie) St. Louis Blues (▲4) 1505 (▲6) 15 (tie) Calgary Flames (▲4) 1497 (▲6) 15 (tie) New York Islanders (▼6) 1497 (▼15) 17 Buffalo Sabres (▲7) 1492 (▲14) 18 Toronto Maple Leafs (▼4) 1491 (▼13) 19 (tie) Philadelphia Flyers (▲3) 1489 (▲3) 19 (tie) Winnipeg Jets (▼4) 1489 (▼11) 21 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼11) 1488 (▼23) 22 Anaheim Ducks (▲2) 1487 (▲9) 23 Boston Bruins (▼2) 1478 (▼10) 24 New Jersey Devils (▲2) 1477 (▲4) 25 Utah Mammoth (▼2) 1476 (▼8) 26 New York Rangers (▼8) 1471 (▼25) 27 Vancouver Canucks (▲2) 1469 (▲19) 28 Nashville Predators (▲3) 1463 (▲17) 29 Columbus Blue Jackets (▼2) 1454 (▼13) 30 Chicago Blackhawks (▼2) 1448 (▼18) 31 Seattle Kraken (▼1) 1446 (▼3) 32 San Jose Sharks 1431 (▼6)
Chances of Winning Division
Metropolitan Division
1 Carolina Hurricanes 41% (▲9) 2 Washington Capitals 26% (▼4) 3 New York Islanders 10% (▼5) 4 Philadelphia Flyers (▲1) 9% (▲3) 5 New Jersey Devils (▲2) 6% (▲3) 6 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼2) 5% (▼4) 7 New York Rangers (▼1) 2% (▼2) 8 Columbus Blue Jackets 1%
Atlantic Division
1 Tampa Bay Lightning 26% (▼13) 2 Detroit Red Wings 20% (▲6) 3 Montreal Canadiens 15% (▲2) 4 (tie) Florida Panthers (▲1) 13% (▲4) 4 (tie) Ottawa Senators (▲3) 13% (▲9) 6 Buffalo Sabres (▲2) 6% (▲3) 7 Boston Bruins (▼3) 5% (▼5) 8 Toronto Maple Leafs (▼2) 2% (▼4)
Central Division
1 Colorado Avalanche 80% (▼1) 2 Dallas Stars 18% (▲3) 3 Minnesota Wild 2% (▼1) 4 (tie) Chicago Blackhawks <1% 4 (tie) Nashville Predators <1% 4 (tie) St. Louis Blues <1% 4 (tie) Utah Mammoth <1% 4 (tie) Winnipeg Jets <1%
Pacific Division
1 Vegas Golden Knights 37% (▼17) 2 Los Angeles Kings 21% 3 Edmonton Oilers (▲1) 20% (▲11) 4 Anaheim Ducks (▼1) 16% (▲5) 5 (tie) Calgary Flames 2% (▲1) 5 (tie) Vancouver Canucks (▲3) 2% (▲2) 7 (tie) San Jose Sharks (▼2) 1% 7 (tie) Seattle Kraken (▼2) 1%
Making the Playoffs
Metropolitan Division
1 Carolina Hurricanes 87% (▲3) 2 Washington Capitals (▼1) 79% (▼5) 3 New York Islanders 56% (▼13) 4 Philadelphia Flyers (▲1) 53% (▲6) 5 New Jersey Devils (▲2) 43% (▲10) 6 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼2) 38% (▼18) 7 New York Rangers (▼1) 26% (▼14) 8 Columbus Blue Jackets 12% (▼5)
Atlantic Division
1 Tampa Bay Lightning 73% (▼8) 2 Detroit Red Wings 68% (▲11) 3 Montreal Canadiens 59% (▲5) 4 (tie) Florida Panthers (▲1) 55% (▲11) 4 (tie) Ottawa Senators (▲3) 55% (▲25) 6 Buffalo Sabres (▲2) 37% (▲15) 7 Boston Bruins (▼3) 36% (▼12) 8 Toronto Maple Leafs (▼2) 22% (▼15)
Central Division
1 (tie) Colorado Avalanche >99% 1 (tie) Dallas Stars (▲1) >99% (▲2) 3 Minnesota Wild 93% (▲7) 4 Utah Mammoth (▲1) 32% (▼6) 5 St. Louis Blues (▲1) 30% (▲2) 6 Winnipeg Jets (▼2) 25% (▼14) 7 Nashville Predators (▲1) 20% (▲8) 8 Chicago Blackhawks (▼1) 11% (▼14)
Pacific Division
1 Vegas Golden Knights 86% (▼7) 2 Edmonton Oilers (▲2) 75% (▲15) 3 Los Angeles Kings (▼1) 74% (▼5) 4 Anaheim Ducks (▼1) 70% (▲6) 5 Calgary Flames (▲1) 27% (▲3) 6 Vancouver Canucks (▲2) 22% (▲12) 7 San Jose Sharks (▼2) 18% (▼7) 8 Seattle Kraken (▼1) 16% (▼5)
Winning the President’s Trophy
1 Colorado Avalanche 78% (▲8) 2 Dallas Stars 17% (▲6) 3 (tie) Carolina Hurricanes (▲1) 1% (▼2) 3 (tie) Minnesota Wild (▲3) 1% (▼1) 3 (tie) Vegas Golden Knights 1% (▼4) 3 (tie) Washington Capitals (▲1) 1% (▼2)
Everyone else has less than a 1% chance of winning the President’s Trophy.
Winning the Stanley Cup
1 Colorado Avalanche 21% (▲3) 2 Dallas Stars 11% (▲2) 3 Washington Capitals (▲1) 6% (▼1) 4 (tie) Carolina Hurricanes (▲2) 5% 4 (tie) Tampa Bay Lightning (▲1) 5% (▼1) 4 (tie) Vegas Golden Knights (▼1) 5% (▼3) 7 (tie) Detroit Red Wings (▲2) 4% (▲1) 7 (tie) Edmonton Oilers (▲2) 4% (▲1) 7 (tie) Los Angeles Kings 4% 7 (tie) Minnesota Wild 4% 11 (tie) Florida Panthers (▲3) 3% (▲1) 11 (tie) Montreal Canadiens (▼2) 3% 11 (tie) Ottawa Senators (▲3) 3% (▲1) 14 (tie) Anaheim Ducks 2% 14 (tie) Buffalo Sabres (▲8) 2% (▲1) 14 (tie) New York Islanders (▼5) 2% (▼1) 14 (tie) Philadelphia Flyers 2% 14 (tie) Pittsburgh Penguins (▼5) 2% (▼1) 19 (tie) Boston Bruins (▼5) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) Calgary Flames (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) New York Rangers (▼5) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) Nashville Predators (▲12) 1% (▲1) 19 (tie) New Jersey Devils (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) St. Louis Blues (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) Toronto Maple Leafs (▼5) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) Utah Mammoth (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) Vancouver Canucks (▲12) 1% (▲1) 19 (tie) Winnipeg Jets (▼5) 1% (▼1) 29 (tie) Chicago Blackhawks (▼7) <1% (▼1) 29 (tie) Columbus Blue Jackets (▼7) <1% (▼1) 29 (tie) San Jose Sharks (▼7) <1% (▼1) 29 (tie) Seattle Kraken (▼7) <1% (▼1)