Are We Starting to See a Shift in the NHL's Balance of Power?
Two months into the 2025-26 season, the standings paint an interesting picture. We ponder if we are starting to see a shift in the balance of power.
Let’s start with a question? What do the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Edmonton Oilers and the Winnipeg Jets all have in common? Entering games on Thursday night, these four teams would be out of the playoffs if they started today.
Two months into the 2025-26 season, the NHL standings are an eclectic mix of what we would expect to see coupled with some things we likely didn’t see coming. While there’s still plenty of time to sort things out, some teams have made it known that they might be ahead of where many thought they’d be.
Just take one look at the scoring leaders. While Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon is trying to run away with it, there are some young stars making it very interesting.
Two recent number-one picks, Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, are second and third in the scoring race entering Thursday. Then there were three players tied with 36 points each. You know Connor McDavid and Jason Robertson. It’s time we start paying close attention to what Leo Carlsson is doing in Anaheim.
With Celebrini, Bedard and Carlsson near the top of the scoring race, it would point to their teams being in or near the playoff cutoff. The Sharks had the second wildcard in the West entering Thursday. The Blackhawks were a point behind the Sharks. Meanwhile, the Ducks lead the Pacific division.
It brings up an interesting question. Are we starting to see the beginning of a shift in the balance of power in the NHL? Should the Ducks, Sharks and Blackhawks do the unthinkable this season and make the playoffs, that puts others outside.
While it might not fully manifest this season, we may only be a season or two away from a true power shift. Other teams better start taking notice.
Current Standings & Trends
The Atlantic
Let’s start in the East. The top of the Atlantic has a usual suspect in the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a slow start to their season, they’ve turned things around. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Only the Washington Capitals have more points than the Lightning as of this writing.
But look right below the Lightning. It’s Montreal and Ottawa occupying the second and third spots. They each had 30 points. But so did the Red Wings and Bruins. Every game is so important with teams bunched up like this.
If this holds, the Senators and Canadiens would have bumped up from a wildcard last season to being top-three in division this season. That’s the first sign we may be starting to see a little bit of a power shift.
Who don’t you see in the Atlantic? The Maple Leafs and Panthers along with the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers may be last in the East. But they only trail the second wildcard by six points and they’re expected to start getting their good players back.
While the Atlantic is far from settled, seeing the Senators and Canadiens where they are cannot be ignored. Both are on the way up with their contending windows just starting to crack open.
The Metro
This division is actually insane so far in 2025-26. Just seven points separated first from last in the division. Each team was at least a .536 points percentage. Seven of the eight teams were even or better in goal differential.
Many experts predicted the Metro would be the worst division in hockey. It’s been by far the best from top to bottom. It again makes us wonder if they’re part of a potential power shift.
The Capitals and Hurricanes are at the top as expected. The Devils are right there too. But so are the Philadelphia Flyers. Rick Tocchet deserves credit for the early job he’s done. Dan Vladar has paid early dividends.
