NHL Power Rankings: Hurricanes Lead a Tight Race as Trade Deadline Looms

After a three-week break for the Winter Olympics, which saw Team USA win the gold medal, the NHL got back to the regular season this week.

As players get back to the grind and the playoffs about a month a half away, teams are battling for each point in the standings in hopes of securing a solid spot in the postseason.

According to the newest power rankings from Daily Faceoff, the Carolina Hurricanes check in at current No. 1 spot, followed closely by the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.

With the trade deadline approaching, many teams are preparing to make roster moves that could dramatically shift the standings. The moves should be watched by those engaging in some NHL betting.

The Elite Tier: Hurricanes, Avalanche, Lightning, Stars, & Wild

At the top of the league, the Carolina Hurricanes have surged into the No. 1 spot thanks to strong play in key matchups, including a decisive win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Carolina’s balanced roster and ability to win games in multiple ways have helped the squad climb the rankings as the playoff race heats up.

The Colorado Avalanche sit at No. 2 and continue to boast one of the league’s most talented rosters. Despite a recent loss to the Minnesota Wild, Colorado remains among the NHL’s most dominant teams and is still considered a serious Stanley Cup contender.

Nathan McKinnon continues with a massive season and is second the league with scoring with 100 points and leads in goals with 41.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are third in the rankings after briefly holding the top spot. Tampa’s recent loss to Carolina and a surprising defeat against Buffalo knocked them down a few spots, though the Lightning remain dangerous with stars like Nikita Kucherov (96 points) and Andrei Vasilevskiy leading the way.

The Dallas Stars continue to hold steady in the rankings thanks to consistent play despite some injuries — including Tyler Seguin being placed on long-term injured reserve. The Stars notched a 10th win in a row on Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Calgary.

Rounding out the elite group are the Minnesota Wild, who have shown flashes of dominance, including a major victory over Colorado, but have also struggled with consistency since the Olympic break. Here’s a look at the league’s top 10 teams, according to Daily Faceoff.

1. Carolina Hurricanes (38-15-6)
2. Colorado Avalanche (39-10-9)
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (38-16-4)
4. Dallas Stars (36-14-9)
5. Minnesota Wild (35-16-10)
6. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-13)
7. Detroit Red Wings (34-20-6)
8. Buffalo Sabres (35-19-6)
9. Montreal Canadiens (33-17-9)
10. Vegas Golden Knights (28-18-14)

Trade Deadline Could Reshape the Playoff Picture

With the NHL trade deadline set for March 6 at 3 p.m. ET, several contenders could look to strengthen their rosters for the postseason push. The Stars, for example, may have additional cap flexibility after Seguin’s injury, potentially allowing for the possible addition of a scoring replacement or defensive help.

Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights have historically been aggressive at the deadline and could again attempt a high-profile acquisition. Playoff hopefuls such as the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres may also look to help secure a postseason berth.

Players rumored to be trade candidates around the league often include veteran defensemen, scoring wingers, and goaltending options as contenders attempt to patch weaknesses before the playoffs. Trades should be watched as bettors takea look at NHL Stanley Cup betting.