NHL Power Rankings: Week of April 4th

With the 2024-25 NHL regular season nearing its end on April 17th, the playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams secure their spots or are eliminated.

This week sees a change at the top of our rankings. We also examine how each of the 32 teams is performing against their preseason point projections from ESPN BET.

Ranking Methodology: Our power rankings are determined by a poll of ESPN hockey experts, including commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors. They rank teams from 1 to 32 based on games played through Wednesday.

Note: Previous rankings are from March 28th. Point percentages are current as of Thursday`s games.

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1. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.1%

Projected points: 95.5
Points pace: 115.9

Despite a slight dip from their initial dominant run, the Jets are still competing for the top spot in the league as they head into the playoffs, aiming for a deeper postseason.

Next seven days: @ UTA (April 5), vs. STL (April 7), @ DAL (April 10)

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2. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 70.0%

Projected points: 89.5
Points pace: 114.8

While Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of the goal-scoring record is a major storyline, the Capitals have emerged as a well-rounded and formidable team. They have a chance to contend for the Stanley Cup again.

Next seven days: vs. CHI (April 4), @ NYI (April 6), vs. CAR (April 10)

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3. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 69.3%

Projected points: 103.5
Points pace: 113.0

The Stars have not only met but exceeded preseason expectations, remaining in contention for the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top regular-season team.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (April 5), @ MIN (April 6), vs. VAN (April 8), vs. WPG (April 10)

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4. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.3%

Projected points: 97.5
Points pace: 108.6

The Golden Knights are a consistent playoff team. The question is whether they will replicate their 2023 Cup victory or face an early exit like in 2024.

Next seven days: @ CGY (April 5), @ VAN (April 6), @ COL (April 8), vs. SEA (April 10)

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5. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 64.9%

Projected points: 100.5
Points pace: 106.4

Under Rod Brind`Amour, the Hurricanes are reliably in the playoffs. This could be the year they return to the Stanley Cup Final.

Next seven days: @ DET (April 4), @ BOS (April 5), @ BUF (April 8), @ WSH (April 10)

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6. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 64.0%

Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 105.0

The Maple Leafs are heading to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year. With Craig Berube`s coaching, Toronto fans hope for a less disappointing playoff run.

Next seven days: vs. CBJ (April 5), @ FLA (April 8), @ TB (April 9)

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7. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 63.6%

Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 103.6

Despite some ups and downs, the Avalanche are on track to finish close to their preseason expectations.

Next seven days: @ STL (April 5), vs. VGK (April 8), vs. VAN (April 10)

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8. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.0%

Projected points: 98.5
Points pace: 103.1

The Lightning strengthened their roster at the trade deadline and have been among the league`s best teams since early March.

Next seven days: @ BUF (Apil 5), @ NYR (April 7), vs. TOR (April 9)

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9. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.3%

Projected points: 96.5
Points pace: 103.1

The Kings excel at preventing goals, ranking second in the NHL in goals against per game. This defensive strength will be crucial in a likely playoff series against Edmonton.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (April 5), vs. SEA (April 7), vs. ANA (April 10)

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10. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 61.3%

Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 100.6

The Panthers are performing close to expectations and seem set for a first-round playoff matchup against Tampa Bay.

Next seven days: @ OTT (April 5), @ DET (April 6), vs. TOR (April 8), vs. DET (April 10)

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11. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 62.0%

Projected points: 108.5
Points pace: 100.8

Despite potentially falling slightly short of preseason projections, the Oilers, led by Draisaitl and McDavid, are focused on a deep playoff run and a potential championship.

Next seven days: @ LA (April 5), @ ANA (April 7), vs. STL (April 9)

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12. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.1%

Projected points: 86.5
Points pace: 96.0

The surging Blues have entered the playoff conversation and are exceeding their projected point total.

Next seven days: vs. COL (April 5), @ WPG (April 7), @ EDM (April 9)

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13. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.2%

Projected points: 101.5
Points pace: 93.9

The Devils are holding onto a playoff spot, largely due to a strong first half, despite key injuries impacting their second half.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (April 5), vs. BOS (April 8)

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14. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.6%

Projected points: 93.5
Points pace: 96.0

The Wild`s solid start to the season is keeping them in a playoff position and ahead of their preseason point projections.

Next seven days: @ NYI (April 4), vs. DAL (April 6), vs. SJ (April 9)

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15. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.3%

Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 93.1

The Senators are likely returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. It remains to be seen if this is a sustained trend or a brief appearance.

Next seven days: vs. FLA (April 5), vs. CBJ (April 6), @ CBJ (April 8)

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16. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 56.0%

Projected points: 81.5
Points pace: 90.9

Playoff contention is fading for the Flames, but they have shown more progress than anticipated at the season`s start.

Next seven days: vs. VGK (April 5), @ SJ (April 7), @ ANA (April 9)

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17. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.0%

Projected points: 99.5
Points pace: 88.6

The Canucks` decline from division leaders to potentially missing the playoffs would be a bigger story if other teams weren`t also underperforming.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (April 5), vs. VGK (April 6), @ DAL (April 8), @ COL (April 10)

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18. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.0%

Projected points: 76.5
Points pace: 87.5

While expectations were on Detroit or Buffalo, the Canadiens are surprisingly in the wild-card mix.

Next seven days: vs. PHI (April 5), @ NSH (April 6), vs. DET (April 8)

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19. Utah Hockey Club

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.6%

Projected points: 87.5
Points pace: 87.5

In their inaugural NHL season, Utah is surprisingly competing for a playoff spot, exceeding initial low expectations.

Next seven days: vs. WPG (April 5), vs. SEA (April 8), vs. NSH (April 10)

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20. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.7%

Projected points: 100.5
Points pace: 86.4

The Rangers are underperforming their projections but remain in the wild-card race, while other expected contenders are doing even worse.

Next seven days: @ NJ (April 5), vs. TB (April 7), vs. PHI (April 9), @ NYI (April 10)

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21. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.0%

Projected points: 69.5
Points pace: 86.5

Despite having one of the lowest projected point totals, the Blue Jackets are unexpectedly in playoff contention as the season winds down.

Next seven days: @ TOR (April 5), @ OTT (April 6), vs. OTT (April 8), vs. BUF (April 10)

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22. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.7%

Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 83.1

Red Wings fans are still waiting for a playoff return, but it`s looking unlikely to happen in 2025.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 4), vs. FLA (April 6), @ MTL (April 8), @ FLA (April 10)

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23. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.0%

Projected points: 91.5
Points pace: 82.0

The Islanders often manage to just make the playoffs, but time is running out for them to repeat that this season.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (April 4), vs. WSH (April 6), @ NSH (April 8), vs. NYR (April 10)

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24. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 49.3%

Projected points: 72.5
Points pace: 82.0

The Ducks will miss the playoffs but are performing about 10 points better than expected.

Next seven days: @ VAN (April 5), vs. EDM (April 7), vs. CGY (April 9), @ LA (April 10)

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25. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 47.4%

Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 77.6

A recent improvement may not be enough to get the Penguins back into the playoffs, and they are likely to miss the postseason for the third straight year.

Next seven days: @ DAL (April 5), @ CHI (April 6), vs. CHI (April 8)

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26. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 47.3%

Projected points: 88.5
Points pace: 77.6

The Sabres` playoff drought will extend to 14 seasons in 2024-25.

Next seven days: vs. TB (April 5), vs. BOS (April 6), vs. CAR (April 8), @ CBJ (April 10)

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27. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 46.7%

Projected points: 85.5
Points pace: 76.6

After briefly contending last season, the Flyers` struggles this year led to a coaching change.

Next seven days: @ MTL (April 5), @ NYR (April 9)

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28. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.1%

Projected points: 87.5
Points pace: 75.5

The Kraken`s second-round playoff appearance in 2023 appears to be an exception, not the norm for the young franchise.

Next seven days: @ SJ (April 5), @ LA (April 7), @ UTA (April 8), @ VGK (April 10)

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29. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 45.4%

Projected points: 99.5
Points pace: 75.4

The Bruins, with a significant negative goal differential, are in need of a significant offseason reset.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 5), @ BUF (April 6), @ NJ (April 8), vs. CHI (April 10)

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30. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 40.8%

Projected points: 98.5
Points pace: 67.8

Despite an offseason spending spree, the Predators have been a major disappointment and were among the first teams eliminated from playoff contention.

Next seven days: vs. MTL (April 6), vs. NYI (April 8), @ UTA (April 10)

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31. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 34.7%

Projected points: 73.5
Points pace: 56.9

If the Blackhawks` goal was to secure a high draft pick to complement Connor Bedard, they are succeeding.

Next seven days: @ WSH (April 4), vs. PIT (April 6), @ PIT (April 8), @ BOS (April 10)

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32. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.3%

Projected points: 63.5
Points pace: 55.4

The Sharks are showing some positive signs for the future, but are still likely to fall short of their projected point total. Changes may be coming in the offseason.

Next seven days: vs. SEA (April 5), vs. CGY (April 7), @ MIN (April 9)