January’s NHL Power Rankings: Capitals Reign Supreme
As we bid farewell to January, the NHL season is heating up, and Friday marks the final night of games for this month. It’s time to dive into the latest Power Rankings and see how all 32 teams have fared. The rankings are determined by a panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors who submit a 1-32 poll based on games through Wednesday. This generates our master list, giving us a comprehensive view of the league’s current landscape.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 24. Points percentages, paces, and January stats are through Thursday’s games.
1. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 72.55%
Whether Alex Ovechkin is on the ice or not, the Capitals continue to dominate. January was no exception, as they accumulated 22 points in 14 games, solidifying their lead atop the Metropolitan Division.
Next eight days: vs. WPG (Feb. 1), vs. FLA (Feb. 4), @ PHI (Feb. 6)
2. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.75%
The Jets may not be the record-setting team from the season’s early weeks, but they’ll gladly take a 9-3-2 record for January. Their strong start in October and November has given them a comfortable lead.
Next eight days: @ WSH (Feb. 1), vs. CAR (Feb. 4)
3. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 66.67%
Despite losing in the Stanley Cup Final last season, the Oilers have shown no signs of a slump. A 10-3-1 January has propelled them to the top of the Pacific Division.
Next eight days: vs. TOR (Feb. 1), @ STL (Feb. 4), @ CHI (Feb. 5)
4. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.38%
Carolina’s point percentage was the fifth highest in the league in January, even without Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall for most of the games. Could these additions be the key to a Stanley Cup Final return?
Next eight days: vs. LA (Feb. 1), @ WPG (Feb. 4), @ MIN (Feb. 6)
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 65.38%
The Golden Knights stumbled a bit in January, posting a 6-6-3 record. While not disastrous, it’s not what we’ve come to expect from one of the NHL’s elite teams.
Next eight days: @ NYR (Feb. 2), @ NYI (Feb. 4), @ NJ (Feb. 6)
6. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 65.00%
Miro Heiskanen’s recent injury puts his participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off in doubt, but the Stars’ playoff positioning remains strong with a 10-4-0 January.
Next eight days: vs. VAN (Jan. 31), vs. CBJ (Feb. 2), @ ANA (Feb. 4)
7. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 60.58%
The Panthers started the season strong, but January was a mixed bag with a 7-6-1 record, despite a plus-6 goal differential.
Next eight days: vs. CHI (Feb. 1), vs. NYI (Feb. 2), @ WSH (Feb. 4), @ STL (Feb. 6)
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 60.78%
The Maple Leafs might be playing the long game by dropping to second in the Atlantic, potentially avoiding the Bruins in the first playoff round. A 7-6-0 January could be seen as a strategic move.
Next eight days: @ EDM (Feb. 1), @ CGY (Feb. 4), @ SEA (Feb. 6)
9. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.46%
Despite a negative goal differential in January, the Wild managed to stay above .500. Their early success has created a buffer between them and the teams trailing behind.
Next eight days: @ OTT (Feb. 1), @ BOS (Feb. 4), vs. CAR (Feb. 6)
10. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 60.38%
The Devils have shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency has been their Achilles’ heel. They finished January with a 5-5-3 record, highlighting their up-and-down nature.
Next eight days: @ BUF (Feb. 2), @ PIT (Feb. 4), vs. VGK (Feb. 6)
11. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 59.18%
The Kings are looking up at the Oilers and Golden Knights in the Pacific Division. A 5-7-1 January didn’t help their cause, but they have games in hand on the teams chasing them.
Next eight days: @ CAR (Feb. 1), vs. MTL (Feb. 5)
12. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.69%
The Avalanche are in the driver’s seat for a wild-card spot, but their 6-6-2 January record leaves room for improvement.
Next eight days: vs. STL (Jan. 31), vs. PHI (Feb. 2), @ VAN (Feb. 4), @ CGY (Feb. 6)
13. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.86%
The Senators are in the playoff mix with an 8-5-2 January, despite a minus-10 goal differential. Could this be the season they make it back to the playoffs?
Next eight days: vs. MIN (Feb. 1), @ NSH (Feb. 3), @ TB (Feb. 4), @ TB (Feb. 6)
14. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 57.00%
The Lightning’s early-season success gave them some breathing room, but a 46.90 points percentage in January has tightened things up considerably.
Next eight days: vs. NYI (Feb. 1), vs. OTT (Feb. 4), vs. OTT (Feb. 6)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.00%
The Flames have maintained their position with a 7-6-0 January, thanks in large part to rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf. They remain on the wild-card bubble.
Next eight days: vs. DET (Feb. 1), @ SEA (Feb. 2), vs. TOR (Feb. 4), vs. COL (Feb. 6)
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 57.00%
The Blue Jackets are the best “story” of the 2024-25 season, and their 9-3-1 January record has boosted their playoff hopes significantly.
Next eight days: @ UTA (Jan. 31), @ DAL (Feb. 2), @ BUF (Feb. 4), vs. UTA (Feb. 6)
17. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 56.00%
Locker room tensions between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller have been confirmed, and a trade might be on the horizon. The Canucks’ .500 January record isn’t promising for the future.
Next eight days: @ DAL (Jan. 31), vs. DET (Feb. 2), vs. COL (Feb. 4), @ SJ (Feb. 6)
18. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 52.83%
The Bruins have struggled with a 5-7-2 January, and they might be in need of a shake-up. Could a trade be in the works?
Next eight days: vs. NYR (Feb. 1), vs. MIN (Feb. 4), @ NYR (Feb. 5)
19. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.00%
The Rangers have quietly climbed the standings with an 8-3-3 January, despite earlier struggles and fan frustration.
Next eight days: @ BOS (Feb. 1), vs. VGK (Feb. 2), vs. BOS (Feb. 5)
20. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 53.92%
The Red Wings have experienced a roller coaster season, but a 10-3-1 January has put them back on the wild-card bubble.
Next eight days: @ CGY (Feb. 1), @ VAN (Feb. 2), @ SEA (Feb. 4)
21. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 51.96%
The Canadiens remain on the playoff fringes with a 7-5-2 January. Will the front office make moves before the trade deadline?
Next eight days: @ ANA (Feb. 2), @ SJ (Feb. 4), @ LA (Feb. 5)
22. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 53.00%
Under Patrick Roy’s guidance, the Islanders have turned things around with a 9-3-0 January. Are they being underestimated?
Next eight days: @ TB (Feb. 1), @ FLA (Feb. 2), vs. VGK (Feb. 4)
23. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 49.06%
The Flyers’ rebuild continues, but their minus-8 goal differential in January highlights the need for more consistent goaltending.
Next eight days: @ COL (Feb. 2), @ UTA (Feb. 4), vs. WSH (Feb. 6)
24. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.00%
The Utah Hockey Club remains in the playoff hunt, but a 12-point January from 13 games isn’t ideal. They need to reverse this trend.
Next eight days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 31), vs. STL (Feb. 2), vs. PHI (Feb. 4), @ CBJ (Feb. 6)
25. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 49.02%
The Blues’ 5-7-0 January has them on the outside looking in. Could Brandon Saad’s contract termination signal an incoming addition?
Next eight days: @ COL (Jan. 31), @ UTA (Feb. 2), vs. EDM (Feb. 4), vs. FLA (Feb. 6)
26. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 47.17%
The Penguins’ 4-7-3 January was only better than the Sharks, and changes might be on the horizon as the trade deadline approaches.
Next eight days: vs. NSH (Feb. 1), vs. NJ (Feb. 4)
27. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 43.88%
The Predators have a history of mid-season turnarounds, and a 7-4-0 January gives them hope for a playoff push.
Next eight days: @ BUF (Jan. 31), @ PIT (Feb. 1), vs. OTT (Feb. 3)
28. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 47.06%
The Ducks have been a middle-of-the-pack team in January with a 6-7-2 record. Which direction will they head next?
Next eight days: vs. MTL (Feb. 2), vs. DAL (Feb. 4)
29. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.23%
With Philipp Grubauer on waivers, the Kraken might make more moves before the trade deadline. A 6-8-1 January has kept them below expectations.
Next eight days: vs. CGY (Feb. 2), vs. DET (Feb. 4), vs. TOR (Feb. 6)
30. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 43.00%
A 45.83 points percentage in January has slightly improved the Sabres’ season-long mark, but they’re still at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
Next eight days: vs. NSH (Jan. 31), vs. NJ (Feb. 2), vs. CBJ (Feb. 4)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 36.27%
It’s been a tough season for the Blackhawks, but they managed to avoid the bottom spot in January, ranking 29th for the month.
Next eight days: @ FLA (Feb. 1), vs. EDM (Feb. 5)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.33%
The Sharks remain among the NHL’s basement dwellers, and this trend is set to continue into February.
Next eight days: vs. MTL (Feb. 4), vs. VAN (Feb. 6)
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
