NHL Power Rankings: Each team’s reason for hope in 2024
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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
The battle atop the Power Rankings continues again this week, with the New York Rangers ousted by the Boston Bruins.
Beyond the rankings, this week we have identified a reason for hope for all 32 NHL fan bases — whether it’s a current player or group, or perhaps a savior to arrive via the 2024 draft.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Dec. 22. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 8), @ ARI (Jan. 9), @ VGK (Jan. 11)
Boston has the sort of depth every NHL team wished for this Christmas. In 2024, the Bruins are hopefully going to keep making the most of it. Head coach Jim Montgomery loves adjusting his lineup based on Boston’s matchups, and with skaters like Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen ready to step in, this gives the Bruins an advantage beyond what their top players (see: David Pastrnak & Co.) bring every night.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.62%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 8), @ STL (Jan. 11)
The Rangers will be hard-pressed to top their excellent play in 2023, but they can hope to sustain it. Backup netminder Jonathan Quick performing like the Jonathan Quick of old has been perhaps the Rangers’ greatest surprise (and asset) of the season, and the potential of having both Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil back healthy at some point will only strengthen New York’s case as a genuine Cup contender deep into the new year.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 67.11%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 6), @ NYR (Jan. 8), @ NYI (Jan. 9), @ PIT (Jan. 11)
The Canucks have had a captivating season to date and hopes are understandably high for 2024 based on past performance. They lead the NHL in goals per game this season, have a Vezina Trophy-worthy goaltender in Thatcher Demko, a fired-up J.T. Miller leading the charge offensively and Quinn Hughes on track for a Norris Trophy. There’s no limit to where Vancouver could wind up this season.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 67.95%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 6), vs. BOS (Jan. 8), vs. VGK (Jan. 10)
Colorado has some stupendous top-end offensive producers like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. What the Avalanche need is more secondary scorers. The return of Artturi Lehkonen — who’s been sidelined with a neck injury since early November — will be a huge boost to Colorado’s depth and advance the Avalanche attack.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 5), @ ARI (Jan. 7), vs. CBJ (Jan. 9), vs. CHI (Jan. 11)
The Jets wrapped up 2023 on a heater that included defeating some of the NHL’s top teams — some more than once! Their hopes in 2024 hinge upon more of the same. Winnipeg is already one of the league’s stingiest teams defensively and the better Connor Hellebuyck performs in net, coupled with the Jets’ surging third and fourth contributions, puts Winnipeg on a path to many more positive outcomes.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 66.22%
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Jan. 6), @ MIN (Jan. 8), vs. MIN (Jan. 10)
Dallas might have been adrift when starting goalie Jake Oettinger was hurt — until Scott Wedgewood answered the bell. He’s given the Stars hope that not only will they continue to lead the Central Division while Oettinger recovers, but that Dallas won’t need to rush its No. 1 back, either. It’s a best-case scenario the Stars have to be loving as they resolve for an even brighter new year.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.71%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 7), @ TB (Jan. 9), @ FLA (Jan. 11)
The Kings already have everything — from offense to defense to goaltending — dialed in. So just how much better will 2024 be when Viktor Arvidsson (yet to play in a game this season following back surgery) enters the chat? He’s been a strong, consistent contributor for the Kings in the past, and the hope is he will be again to level L.A. up even further.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 65.79%
Next seven days: @ COL (Jan. 6), @ STL (Jan. 9), vs. LA (Jan. 11)
Florida might be the best team no one talks about enough — and that should all change in 2024 given how the Panthers are trending. They entered the new year on a four-game heater fueled by a red-hot Sam Reinhart (23 goals in 36 games), suddenly surging power play (with five goals in four games) and a top quality goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky. The hope for Florida is they can stay this balanced while everyone else starts to take notice.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 62.82%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 10), vs. BOS (Jan. 11)
The Knights going through a recent — and rather uncharacteristic — slump could be a good thing for what’s to come in 2024. This group has stayed mostly healthy but appeared fatigued; something a turn of the calendar (and a frustrating shutout Winter Classic loss) can possibly help to cure. Vegas always finds a resiliency to surprise us all; why should this new year be any different?
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: @ SJ (Jan. 6), vs. SJ (Jan. 9), @ NYI (Jan. 11)
The Leafs finally made the change it needed in net by waiving Ilya Samsonov and putting their full faith in Martin Jones to carry the load until Joseph Woll can return. The hope is with a stable No. 1 netminder the Leafs see better results from their defensive efforts in 2024 and quit squandering an advantage like boasting the league’s goal-scoring leader, Auston Matthews.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 5), vs. STL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 11)
Carolina has been through the ringer with their goaltending situation this season (Antti Raanta struggled; Frederik Andersen is out indefinitely due to a blood clot issue) and it’s been on rookie Pyotr Kochetkov to man the crease. Well, the Hurricanes are entering 2024 with a goalie on the rise as Kochetkov went 5-1-1 to close out last year and looks well positioned to keep building on that success as a true difference-maker.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 9), vs. TOR (Jan. 11)
The Islanders are a constant enigma — this season is no different in that respect — yet they have plenty of high hopes for 2024 based on the consistency of their top-tier players. Ilya Sorokin? Still one of the league’s best goalies. Mathew Barzal? Quieting the naysayers as a first-line star beside Bo Horvat. Special teams? On the rise. New York is impossible to pigeonhole, and there’s abounding hope in the Islanders reaching their full potential by spring.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 5), vs. VAN (Jan .6), @ TB (Jan. 11)
New Jersey has Jack Hughes. When that’s the case, there’s no reason not to feel hopeful about what the new year will bring. Hughes is averaging nearly 1.50 points per game to power the Devils offense and can be a one-man wrecking ball as needed when skaters like Timo Meier are sidelined by injury. If New Jersey is to make the most of 2024, it’ll be with Hughes at the forefront.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Jan. 5), vs. LA (Jan. 7), vs. SEA (Jan. 11)
Washington was hit by an injury bug late in 2023 that should hopefully resolve itself by early 2024. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is doing better than expected in his recovery and Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles tendon) making his debut this week was a massive boost for the Capitals’ offense given other missing players. The healthier Washington gets, the more hope there is for a happy new year.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 55.71%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 9), @ DET (Jan. 11)
The Oilers have truly turned their season around since replacing former coach Jay Woodcroft in early November. Their hopeful resolution in 2024 is to not let their momentum slide. Calvin Pickard has hopped in as a steady backup for a revamped Stuart Skinner in net, and Connor McDavid has registered a point in all but three games since coach Kris Knoblauch took over. There’s hope yet for Edmonton to be a true contender this spring.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 57.89%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Jan. 6), vs. PIT (Jan. 8), vs. MTL (Jan. 10)
Philadelphia is already right in the middle of this season’s playoff race — and frankly, who saw that coming? The Flyers’ hopes of staying there well into 2024 revolve around a continued buy-in to coach John Tortorella’s system, and the high-level contributions from some of the team’s youngest skaters, including Tyson Foerster and Cam York. There’s good reason to believe Philadelphia can stay in play for a postseason slot.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.05%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 7), vs. BOS (Jan. 9), vs. CGY (Jan. 11)
Arizona is a scrappy bunch that hasn’t received enough credit for their gumption — or how well they performed overall in 2023. Connor Ingram ranks among the league’s top netminders behind a forward group benefitting from consistent performances by Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse. Arizona is surprisingly deep and decidedly confident; did you see the four-goal comeback against Colorado? There’s reasonable hope in the desert for 2024 to include a playoff return for these Coyotes.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.13%
Next seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 9)
The Predators needed some positivity to end 2023 and got in the form of 21-year-old goaltender Yaroslav Askarov earning his first NHL win. That’s a big deal for the Predators’ hopes going into 2024 — and beyond. Askarov was Nashville’s first-round pick (11th overall) in 2020; to see him succeed early on is a shot in the arm for the entire Predators’ squad. And, maybe, their winning prospects over the next few months.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 53.75%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Jan. 6), vs. LA (Jan. 9), vs. NJ (Jan. 11)
Tampa Bay entered 2024 with the league leader in points — that would be Nikita Kucherov — tearing his way through opposing teams’ defense in a way the Lightning must hope will continue well into this season’s second half. And if the Lightning want to get real greedy, they’ll resolve to have Kucherov’s success be a rallying cry for steadier contributions from the club’s bottom-six forwards, too.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 56.76%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 8), vs. VAN (Jan. 11)
Pittsburgh has been reinventing itself recently — and that’s a good thing for 2024. The Penguins have talent to spare but what they’re establishing now is a new identity centered around more than just trying to beat teams off the rush. Pittsburgh’s gone grittier, meaner and more physically imposing. The hope is that shift keeps translating into victories.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 11)
The Red Wings gave up more goals per game in December than any team in the league. That makes their hopeful resolution for 2024 rather apparent: Stop doing that. Fortunately for the Red Wings, they are perfectly capable of righting the ship. A midseason slump is better than one in early spring, and if Detroit got that slip out of their system, then improved play by their goaltenders and a recommitment to the defensive side of the game will put the Wings back on their previous winning trajectory.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 52.56%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 9), @ WSH (Jan. 11)
Seattle set the tone for 2024 with a resounding 3-0 win over Vegas in the Winter Classic to mark a first-ever shutout victory (courtesy of Joey Daccord) at the league’s annual outdoor showcase. And the Kraken show no signs of cooling off their nine-game point streak. What Seattle lacks in flash it makes up for in work ethic (and strong goaltending from Daccord) that can carry the Kraken up those Pacific Division standings from here.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.32%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 7), vs. OTT (Jan. 9), @ ARI (Jan. 11)
Calgary has struggled all season to find chemistry up front, but it looks like first-year coach Ryan Huska has finally found some winning combinations for 2024. Top center Nazem Kadri is excelling with Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil, Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund seem to be in a groove and Elias Lindholm has settled into a rhythm with Yegor Sharangovich. If the Flames can keep stoking those fires into the new year, maybe the energy will eventually reach slumping star Jonathan Huberdeau.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.70%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Jan. 6), vs. FLA (Jan. 9), vs. NYR (Jan. 11)
The Blues shuffled things up behind the bench, saying goodbye to Craig Berube and installing Drew Bannister. He, in turn, moved the Blues forwards around in late 2023 and found some chemistry that hopefully grows stronger in 2024. St. Louis’ top line has been especially potent, and Jake Neighbours is making an impact in a second-line spot. New coach, new year … what else is in store for the Blues?
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 48.65%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Jan. 6), vs. DAL (Jan. 8), @ DAL (Jan. 10)
Minnesota got off to a rough start in 2024 when six players, including Jared Spurgeon, Filip Gustavsson and Kirill Kaprizov were moved to injured reserve. But here’s hoping that adversity is what bonds the Wild together. Minnesota was turning a corner in December with their punishing style of play and there’s no reason the Wild can’t challenge one another to step up and stay focused while their netminder, top defenseman and top forward heal for the season’s stretch run.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.15%
Next seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 6), vs. SEA (Jan. 9), vs. OTT (Jan. 11)
The Sabres are brimming with talent … that they simply didn’t get enough out of in 2023. The hope is that 2024 is when that will change. Jack Quinn is finally back — and producing — following an Achilles tendon injury, and there’s truly nowhere to go but up for Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch from here.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 48.68%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 10), vs. SJ (Jan. 11)
Montreal is sticking to the plan laid out of by GM Kent Hughes that could (eventually) deliver results. It’s the Canadiens’ hope that their continued patience in developing the club’s top skaters and learning from setbacks (like how poor the penalty kill has been of late) will pay dividends at some point in 2024, and for Montreal to be a long-term contender down the road.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 42.50%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Jan. 6), @ WPG (Jan. 9)
Columbus selected Adam Fantilli at No. 3 overall in last year’s draft, and the hope is for 2024 to be a real proving ground for the Blue Jackets’ new top-line center. The team had to fast-track Fantilli up the lineup once Boone Jenner and Patrik Laine were injured and the 19-year-old has held his ground between Johnny Gaudreau and Justin Danforth. All Columbus can hope for is to see that development continue well into the new year.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 41.18%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Jan. 6), @ CGY (Jan. 9), @ BUF (Jan. 11)
The Senators changed most everything about themselves in 2023 — new owner, new coach, new GM, etc. — in the hopes that 2024 will deliver better outcomes. The Senators were supposed to be Atlantic Division risers, and there’s believe that can still be the case this year with a renewed vision for the team in place.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 36.49%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 5), vs. DET (Jan. 7), @ NSH (Jan. 9), @ CAR (Jan. 11)
Anaheim was blunted by injuries late in 2023 (including to top skaters Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish) and the hope here is that things can’t possibly get worse come 2024. It’s unlikely the Ducks will suddenly surge up the standings even when all their ailing parties return, but at least Anaheim can be hopeful about the organization’s depth of young talent to power it through brighter years ahead.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 31.58%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 5), vs. CGY (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 9), @ WPG (Jan. 11)
Chicago’s one great hope for 2024 (and 2025, and 2026…) is Connor Bedard continuing to be everything they expected — and more. To watch the 18-year-old produce at nearly a point-per-game pace already on a team without much other star power is incredible. He’ll be the Blackhawks’ life force long after 2024 comes and goes.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 26.92%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 6), @ TOR (Jan. 9), @ MTL (Jan. 11)
San Jose ended 2023 on schedule for a draft lottery win. If all goes well in 2024, the Sharks’ hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick (for the first time in franchise history) will come to fruition.
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Greg Wyshynski
Winnipeg Jets forward Nik Ehlers could muster only one word to describe the feeling of their 4-3 double-overtime Game 7 victory that eliminated the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.
“Joy.”
Here’s another word: historic.
Captain Adam Lowry‘s goal at 16:10 of the second overtime closed out the series and advanced the Jets to face the Dallas Stars beginning Wednesday in Winnipeg. But overtime doesn’t happen without forward Cole Perfetti‘s goal with three seconds remaining in regulation, which established an NHL record.
Perfetti’s goal at 59:57 was the latest game-tying goal in a Game 7, topping the record set by Vancouver Canucks winger Matt Cooke (59:54) in the 2004 conference quarterfinals against Calgary. The Flames won the series in overtime. Perfetti also tied Washington’s Dale Hunter (1993) and Carolina’s Eric Staal (2006) for the second-latest game-tying goal in NHL playoff history. Cooke’s goal with two seconds left in a conference semifinal for Minnesota in 2003 is still the fastest.
Perfetti redirected a desperation Kyle Connor one-timer past St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington off a cross-ice pass from Nik Ehlers.
“I fanned on the first [shot], so I thought I’m not going to let that happen again. If we could get the goalie moving just a little bit, we might be able to create something,” Ehlers said of his pass.
“Sometimes, for whatever reason, if you look at the home teams in this series, the puck luck was incredible,” St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
Winnipeg didn’t have much luck to start the game. Jordan Kyrou gave the Blues a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the game, as lackluster defense from Connor led to a 2-on-1 down low. Defenseman Colton Parayko found Kyrou for his third goal of the postseason. The Blues scored in the first period of every game of the series.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck allowed a questionable goal 6:16 later, as Mathieu Joseph wristed one past him from the top of the circle for a 2-0 lead. Hellebuyck finished the series with an .830 save percentage and a 3.85 goals-against average.
Winnipeg was 2-25 all time in the playoffs when trailing by multiple goals at any point in the game.
To make matters worse, defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game just four shifts into the first period because of an apparent shoulder injury. That meant Winnipeg played the majority of Game 7 without its top defenseman and second-leading scorer, as center Mark Scheifele missed Games 6 and 7 because of an upper-body injury suffered in Game 5.
This is the same scenario the Dallas Stars faced in winning Game 7 of their series against Colorado, playing without defenseman Miro Heiskanen and winger Jason Robertson. Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said he cited Dallas’s late-game comeback against Colorado on Saturday night to give the Jets hope for a rally.
The Jets chipped away at the lead in the second period on Perfetti’s power-play goal, but St. Louis’ fourth line — one of its best in this series — got it back with Radek Faksa‘s goal with 35 seconds left in the period.
“We obviously didn’t get the start that we wanted today,” Ehlers said. “They got another one at the end of the second period. But there was belief in this group. Nobody was hanging their heads. We looked at each other and said we’re not done playing hockey yet. It was special.”
Entering Sunday night, teams with a multigoal lead in the third period of a Game 7 were 119-4. Things were looking good for the Blues — until they weren’t.
Winnipeg pulled Hellebuyck with 3:14 left, leading to Vlad Namestnikov scoring with 1:56 left in regulation. Perfetti then scored with three seconds left.
The teams were scoreless in the first overtime, with Binnington (11 saves) busier than Hellebuyck (4 saves) in the opening extra session. Then, Lowery ended the series with his deflection of Neal Pionk‘s shot at 16:10 of the second overtime.
Lowry was born in St. Louis. His father, Adam Lowry, played five seasons with the Blues during his 19-year NHL career.
The Jets mobbed Lowry in celebration. For Hellebuyck, there was also a palpable sense of relief.
He’s considered the best goaltender in the world, expected to collect his third Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top netminder this season, giving him back-to-back Vezina wins. But Hellebuyck had been a playoff disappointment in the Jets’ first-round losses in 2023 and 2024, both in five games. He was disastrous against the Blues, especially on the road: getting pulled in three straight road games with a .758 save percentage and a 7.24 goals-against average.
The last time he was across the ice from Binnington in overtime was the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, when Binnington was brilliant in leading Canada to victory over Hellebuyck and the U.S.
This time, Hellebuyck was saving the day until his team could win the game in double overtime. He made 13 saves in the final three periods.
“Amazing. Absolutely amazing,” said Arniel, who won his first playoff series as an NHL head coach. “I’ve seen a lot of hockey games. I’ve been around a lot of hockey games. Man, it was thrilling.”
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Kristen Shilton
Winnipeg forward Mark Scheifele did not play in Game 7 of the Jets’ first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday due to an undisclosed injury, coach Scott Arniel said.
Arniel ruled out Scheifele following the team’s morning skate. He was hurt in Game 5 — playing only 8:05 in the first period before exiting — and then did not travel with the Jets to St. Louis for Game 6. Arniel previously had said Scheifele was a game-time decision for Game 7.
Scheifele, 32, skated in a track suit Saturday, and Arniel told reporters the veteran was feeling better than he had the day before. Scheifele, however, was not able to participate in the Jets’ on-ice session by Sunday, quickly indicating he would not be available for the game.
Winnipeg held a 2-0 lead in the series over St. Louis before the Blues stormed back with a pair of wins to tie it, 2-2. The home team has won each game in the best-of-seven series so far.
The Jets’ challenge in closing out St. Louis only increases without Scheifele. Winnipeg already has been dealing with the uneven play of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a significant storyline in the series to date. Hellebuyck was pulled in all three of his starts at St. Louis while giving up a combined 16 goals on 66 shots (.758 SV%). In Game 6, Hellebuyck allowed four goals in only 5 minutes, 23 seconds of the second period.
Hellebuyck was Winnipeg’s backbone during the regular season, earning a Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy nomination for his impeccable year (.925 SV%, 2.00 GAA).
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