LISTEN UP, HOCKEY NATION! If you’re looking for soft landings and participation trophies, you’re in the wrong zip code! The mid-season grind is turning into a full-blown war zone, and the latest data from January 11, 2026, proves that only the stone-cold killers are surviving the frost!
Grab your smelling salts—here is your McDonald NHL Power Rankings blitz!
THE ELITE FIVE: THE KINGS OF THE HILL
These are the titans. The heavyweights. The teams that don’t just win—they leave a trail of broken spirits and shattered glass behind them.
- Colorado (1st, 1640) The Avalanche are essentially a cheat code at this point. They’re sitting on a 1640 rating and a 99% chance to hit the postseason. They took a tiny -1 dip in rating this week, but they’re still the undisputed apex predator of the Central.
- Tampa Bay (2nd, +1, 1575) The Bolts are surging! Up one spot and looking absolutely lethal. With a 95% playoff probability, Tampa is reminding the rest of the Atlantic that the road to the Cup still runs through Florida.
- Dallas (3rd, -1, 1565) A minor stumble for the Stars, dropping one spot, but don’t you dare look away. Their 99% playoff odds match Colorado for the best in the league. They are a defensive juggernaut waiting to explode.
- Minnesota (4th, 1543) The Wild stay put at number four. They aren’t flashy, but they are effective. A 98% playoff lock means the State of Hockey is going to be rocking come April.
- Vegas (5th, +2, 1538) BOOM! The Golden Knights are back in the Top 5! A massive +19 rating boost and a two-spot jump. They just hung a 7-2 beatdown on San Jose to close the week. This is a team with bad intentions!
BIGGEST RISERS: THE CLIMBERS
- Boston (18th, +7, 1490) The Bruins are screaming back from the dead! A massive seven-spot jump! They dismantled the Rangers 10-2—yes, you read that right—and followed it up with a shutout over Pittsburgh. They’ve boosted their playoff odds by 8% in one week!
- Carolina (8th, +5, 1528) The Canes are a hurricane of momentum right now. Up five spots into the Top 10, they now hold a 51% chance to win the Metro. They are officially the “Team No One Wants To See” right now.
- Buffalo (8th, +4, 1528) Don’t look now, but the Sabres are charging! Up four spots and their playoff odds skyrocketed by 17%!
BIGGEST FALLERS: THE CRASH & BURN
- Washington (12th, -7, 1521) Total collapse in D.C.! The Capitals plummeted seven spots after a brutal week, losing 10% of their playoff equity. The wheels aren’t off yet, but they’re wobbling hard.
- Florida (13th, -7, 1515) The Panthers are in a tailspin, matching Washington with a seven-spot drop. Their playoff odds tanked by 11%. Someone wake up the Cats before they sleep through the postseason!
- St. Louis (20th, -5, 1485) The Blues are singing the blues. A five-spot drop and a massive 20% hit to their playoff odds. The window is slamming shut!
DIVISION DOGFIGHTS: THE TRENCH WARFARE
Atlantic: The Shark Tank
Tampa Bay is the powerhouse here with a 56% chance to take the division, but Detroit (7th, +3, 1529) is breathing down their necks with 14% win odds. Montreal (11th, -4, 1522) is fading, losing 5% of their division-winning probability this week.
Metropolitan: The Carolina Takeover
The Hurricanes have seized control! Their odds to win the Metro jumped by a staggering 23% this week, now sitting at 51%. The Islanders (15th, +4, 1500) are the only ones keeping pace, while Washington and Pittsburgh are falling into the abyss.
Central: The Avalanche Monopoly
Is there even a race? Colorado has a 97% chance to win the division. Dallas and Minnesota are basically playing for second place at this point. The rest of the division is just trying to stay relevant in the Wild Card race.
Pacific: The Vegas Power Grab
The Golden Knights are the big winners here, jumping 19% in division win odds to lead the pack at 49%. Edmonton (10th, +1, 1524) is hanging tough at 26%, but Los Angeles (16th, -2, 1499) saw their hopes take a 10% nosedive.
Here’s the rankings and ratings. Changes shown are from last week’s report.
The top 5
1. Colorado Avalanche (1640, ▼1)
Record: 33-4-7, 1st in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: >99%
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 94% (▲1)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 25% (▲1)
Last week: 2-1-0
- January 6: Lost 4-2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd, 1575)
- January 8: Won 8-2 vs. Ottawa Senators (22nd, 1481)
- January 10: Won 4-0 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (26th, 1465)
Next week:
- January 12: vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (6th, 1531)
- January 16: vs. Nashville Predators (24th, 1473)
2. Tampa Bay Lightning ▲1 (1575, ▲15)
Record: 27-13-3, 2nd in Atlantic Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 95% (▲4)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 2% (▲1)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 10% (▲2)
Last week: 2-0-0
- January 6: Won 4-2 vs. Colorado Avalanche (1st, 1640)
- January 10: Won 7-2 @ Philadelphia Flyers (14th, 1503)
Next week:
- January 12: @ Philadelphia Flyers (14th, 1503)
- January 13: @ Pittsburgh Penguins (17th, 1495)
- January 16: @ St. Louis Blues (20th, 1485)
- January 18: @ Dallas Stars (3rd, 1565)
3. Dallas Stars ▼1 (1565, ▼2)
Record: 26-10-9, 2nd in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 99%
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 2% (▼1)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 7% (▼1)
Last week: 1-1-1
- January 6: Lost 6-3 @ Carolina Hurricanes (8th, 1528)
- January 7: Won 4-1 @ Washington Capitals (12th, 1521)
- January 10: Lost in OT 5-4 @ San Jose Sharks (30th, 1444)
Next week:
- January 12: @ Los Angeles Kings (16th, 1499)
- January 13: @ Anaheim Ducks (31st, 1436)
- January 15: @ Utah Mammoth (23rd, 1479)
- January 18: vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd, 1575)
4. Minnesota Wild (1543, ▼10)
Record: 26-11-9, 3rd in Central Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 98%
- Winning the President’s Trophy: 1% (▼1)
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 5% (▼1)
Last week: 1-1-1
- January 5: Lost 4-2 @ Los Angeles Kings (16th, 1499)
- January 8: Won in OT 3-2 @ Seattle Kraken (19th, 1488)
- January 10: Lost in OT 4-3 vs. New York Islanders (15th, 1500)
Next week:
- January 12: vs. New Jersey Devils (29th, 1455)
- January 15: vs. Winnipeg Jets (25th, 1471)
- January 17: @ Buffalo Sabres (8th, 1528)
5. Vegas Golden Knights ▲2 (1538, ▲19)
Record: 21-11-12, 1st in Pacific Division
Chances of:
- Making the playoffs: 93% (▲15)
- Winning the President’s Trophy: <1%
- Winning the Stanley Cup: 5% (▲1)
Last week: 4-0-0
- January 6: Won in OT 4-3 @ Winnipeg Jets (25th, 1471)
- January 8: Won 5-3 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (26th, 1465)
- January 10: Won 4-2 vs. St. Louis Blues (20th, 1485)
- January 11: Won 7-2 @ San Jose Sharks (30th, 1444)
Next week:
- January 14: @ Los Angeles Kings (16th, 1499)
- January 15: vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (6th, 1531)
- January 17: vs. Nashville Predators (24th, 1473)
Overall Ratings
1 Colorado Avalanche 1640 (▼1) 2 Tampa Bay Lightning (▲1) 1575 (▲15) 3 Dallas Stars (▼1) 1565 (▼2) 4 Minnesota Wild 1543 (▼10) 5 Vegas Golden Knights (▲2) 1538 (▲19) 6 Toronto Maple Leafs (▲3) 1531 (▲13) 7 Detroit Red Wings (▲7) 1529 (▲22) 8 (tie) Buffalo Sabres (▲3) 1528 (▲18) 8 (tie) Carolina Hurricanes (▲4) 1528 (▲19) 10 Edmonton Oilers 1524 (▲12) 11 Montreal Canadiens (▼4) 1522 (▲3) 12 Washington Capitals (▼7) 1521 (▼4) 13 Florida Panthers (▼7) 1515 (▼5) 14 Philadelphia Flyers (▲2) 1503 (▼2) 15 New York Islanders (▲5) 1500 (▲8) 16 Los Angeles Kings (▲2) 1499 (▼1) 17 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼1) 1495 (▼10) 18 Boston Bruins (▲7) 1490 (▲14) 19 Seattle Kraken (▲5) 1488 (▲9) 20 St. Louis Blues (▼5) 1485 (▼21) 21 Calgary Flames (▼2) 1482 (▼13) 22 Ottawa Senators (▼9) 1481 (▼27) 23 Utah Mammoth (▲4) 1479 (▲14) 24 Nashville Predators (▼3) 1473 (▼7) 25 Winnipeg Jets (▲3) 1471 (▲8) 26 (tie) Columbus Blue Jackets (▼5) 1465 (▼15) 26 (tie) New York Rangers (▼5) 1465 (▼15) 28 Chicago Blackhawks (▲2) 1461 (▲10) 29 New Jersey Devils (▼3) 1455 (▼19) 30 San Jose Sharks (▲2) 1444 (▲5) 31 Anaheim Ducks (▼2) 1436 (▼21) 32 Vancouver Canucks (▼1) 1433 (▼15)
Chances of Winning Division
Metropolitan Division
1 Carolina Hurricanes 51% (▲22) 2 New York Islanders (▲3) 17% (▲5) 3 Philadelphia Flyers (▼1) 13% (▼6) 4 Washington Capitals 9% (▼6) 5 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼2) 8% (▼8) 6 (tie) Columbus Blue Jackets (▲2) 1% (▼1) 6 (tie) New York Rangers (▲1) 1% (▼2) 6 (tie) New Jersey Devils 1% (▼3)
Atlantic Division
1 Tampa Bay Lightning 56% (▲8) 2 Detroit Red Wings (▲1) 14% (▲5) 3 Montreal Canadiens (▼1) 12% (▼6) 4 Buffalo Sabres 10% (▲3) 5 Toronto Maple Leafs (▲2) 5% (▲1) 6 (tie) Boston Bruins (▲2) 2% 6 (tie) Florida Panthers (▼2) 2% (▼5) 8 Ottawa Senators (▼2) <1% (▼5)
Central Division
1 Colorado Avalanche 97% (▲2) 2 Dallas Stars 3% (▼1) 3 Minnesota Wild 1% (▼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 49% (▲17) 2 Edmonton Oilers 26% (▲2) 3 (tie) Los Angeles Kings 10% (▼6) 3 (tie) Seattle Kraken (▲1) 10% (▼2) 5 San Jose Sharks (▲2) 3% (▼1) 6 (tie) Anaheim Ducks (▼1) 1% (▼7) 6 (tie) Calgary Flames 1% (▼4) 8 Vancouver Canucks <1% (▼1)
Making the Playoffs
Metropolitan Division
1 Carolina Hurricanes 90% (▲16) 2 New York Islanders (▲3) 68% (▲16) 3 Philadelphia Flyers (▼1) 60% (▼2) 4 Washington Capitals (▼1) 53% (▼4) 5 Pittsburgh Penguins (▼2) 45% (▼12) 6 (tie) New York Rangers (▲1) 11% (▼12) 6 (tie) New Jersey Devils 11% (▼17) 8 Columbus Blue Jackets 10% (▼11)
Atlantic Division
1 Tampa Bay Lightning 95% (▲4) 2 Detroit Red Wings (▲1) 78% (▲20) 3 Montreal Canadiens (▼1) 75% (▲3) 4 Buffalo Sabres (▲1) 66% (▲17) 5 Toronto Maple Leafs (▲2) 54% (▲17) 6 Florida Panthers (▼2) 40% (▼11) 7 Boston Bruins (▲1) 33% (▲8) 8 Ottawa Senators (▼2) 12% (▼29)
Central Division
1 Colorado Avalanche >99% 2 Dallas Stars 99% 3 Minnesota Wild 98% 4 Utah Mammoth (▲2) 42% (▲17) 5 Nashville Predators (▼1) 33% (▼6) 6 Chicago Blackhawks (▲1) 22% (▲5) 7 St. Louis Blues (▼2) 14% (▼20) 8 Winnipeg Jets 10% (▲1)
Pacific Division
1 Vegas Golden Knights 93% (▲15) 2 Edmonton Oilers 83% (▲11) 3 Los Angeles Kings 63% (▲3) 4 Seattle Kraken 62% (▲10) 5 San Jose Sharks (▲2) 40% (▲12) 6 Calgary Flames 20% (▼14) 7 Anaheim Ducks (▼2) 19% (▼24) 8 Vancouver Canucks 4% (▼7)
Winning the President’s Trophy
1 Colorado Avalanche 94% (▲1) 2 (tie) Dallas Stars 2% (▼1) 2 (tie) Tampa Bay Lightning (▲2) 2% (▲1) 4 Minnesota Wild (▼1) 1% (▼1)
Everyone else has less than a 1% chance of winning the President’s Trophy.
Winning the Stanley Cup
1 Colorado Avalanche 25% (▲1) 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 10% (▲2) 3 Dallas Stars (▼1) 7% (▼1) 4 (tie) Carolina Hurricanes (▲4) 5% (▲2) 4 (tie) Minnesota Wild 5% (▼1) 4 (tie) Vegas Golden Knights (▲1) 5% (▲1) 7 (tie) Buffalo Sabres (▲1) 4% (▲1) 7 (tie) Detroit Red Wings (▲1) 4% (▲1) 7 (tie) Edmonton Oilers (▲1) 4% (▲1) 7 (tie) Toronto Maple Leafs (▲8) 4% (▲2) 11 (tie) Montreal Canadiens (▼6) 3% (▼1) 11 (tie) Philadelphia Flyers (▼3) 3% 11 (tie) Washington Capitals (▼6) 3% (▼1) 14 (tie) Florida Panthers (▼6) 2% (▼1) 14 (tie) Los Angeles Kings (▲1) 2% 14 (tie) New York Islanders (▲1) 2% 14 (tie) Pittsburgh Penguins (▼6) 2% (▼1) 14 (tie) Seattle Kraken (▲1) 2% 19 (tie) Boston Bruins (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) Calgary Flames (▼4) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) Nashville Predators (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) Ottawa Senators (▼4) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) San Jose Sharks (▲3) 1% 19 (tie) St. Louis Blues (▼4) 1% (▼1) 19 (tie) Utah Mammoth (▲3) 1% 26 (tie) Anaheim Ducks (▼4) <1% (▼1) 26 (tie) Chicago Blackhawks (▲4) <1% 26 (tie) Columbus Blue Jackets (▼4) <1% (▼1) 26 (tie) New York Rangers (▼4) <1% (▼1) 26 (tie) New Jersey Devils (▼4) <1% (▼1) 26 (tie) Vancouver Canucks (▲4) <1% 26 (tie) Winnipeg Jets (▲4) <1%