At this point in the 2021-22 NHL season we have a good understanding of where all 32 NHL teams are at — and what they can do before the next season. trade deadline on March 21.
We identified one statistic that helps to explain how each team got here.
How do we rank?A panel of ESPN analysts, reporters, commentators and editors gives their ratings on teams to one another. They also take into account injuries and game results. These results are then tabulated to create the featured list.
Notice: The previous ranking of each team is based on the February 16th edition. Points paces are determined by Tuesday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage 0.760
Next seven days:@ DET, Feb. 23; vs. WPG, February 25; @ VGK, February 26; vs. NYI, March 1.
We knew Colorado could score. We knew it could defend. The goaltending was what raised concerns. Well, Darcy KuemperHis critics have been silenced in big ways. He is now 16-1-2 since Dec. 1 with a.929 save percent and 2.21 goals-against-average.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage 0.735
Next seven days:CBJ (Feb. 24-26), EDM (Feb. 26).
Some teams talk of depth of scoring. It is a reality that the Panthers live it. Florida had nine (9!) Florida had nine (9!) players who scored 30 or more goals in 50 games. It is no surprise that it has averaged over four goals per match this season.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage 0.714
Next seven days:vs. EDM(Feb. 23), vs. NSH(Feb. 26), vs. OTT (“March 1)
Tampa Bay has never lost consecutively in regulation at the 50th game mark of its season. This is quite impressive.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage 0.740
Next seven days:CBJ (Feb.25), EDM (Feb.27), at DET (March 1).
All 31 power plays that are trying to score against Carolina have my best wishes. At nearly 90%, Carolina’s penalty kill is the NHL’s best. Since Nov. 7, Carolina has allowed multiple man-advantage goals in one game. Talk about a lockdown.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage 0.677
Next seven days:@ TOR, @ CGY and @ CGY (Feb. 24-26), vs. CGY on March 1.
After a slow start Kirill KaprizovOn Nov. 26, the Wild’s winger registered a night of four points and was virtually unstoppable. The Wild’s winger scored a point in every game except three of his next 27 games. He was also in the top five for league scoring with 44 points.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage 0.680
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Feb. 24), @ DET (Feb. 26), @ WSH (Feb. 28)
The Maple Leafs have an historically strong power play this season, which is remarkable considering they were slow to get there. Toronto is the NHL’s top team in man advantage with over 31%. It could also surpass the league’s greatest power play record, which was held by the 1977-1978 Canadiens at 31.9%.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage 0.674
Next seven days:@ VAN, Feb. 24, vs. MIN, February 26, @ MIN, March 1.
The Flames have the lowest average number of goals against per game (unsurprising) this season.Jacob MarkstromAnd Dan VladarThey have been incredible in net, evidently. Calgary’s offensive play has been a great balance, putting it in the top spot in NHL for shots fired (36+ per match). This is a winning combination.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage 0.673
Next seven days:vs. NJ, vs. NYR, vs. NYR (Feb. 26, vs. CBJ (Feb. 27,)
Pittsburgh has been a Metropolitan Division top team — and the Penguins have been a top-heavy squad. Only going back to Dec. 1. Bryan Rust, Jake GuentzelAnd Sidney CrosbyThey have exceeded their goal by double digits. The middle-six forward group of Pittsburgh has been surprisingly silent. This is something that should be addressed — either internally or on the trade markets.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage 0.690
Next seven days:vs. WSH, @ PIT (Feb. 26,), vs. VAN(Feb. 27).
New York is able to handle the pressure of tight games. The league’s leader in one-goal wins with 16, the Blueshirts, is this season. Igor ShesterkinThe Vezina Trophy-caliber season certainly helps.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage 0.660
Next seven days:vs. BUF [Feb. 25], @ CHI [Feb. 27]
Ville HussoSurprisingly, he has emerged as the Blues best option in net. His December record was impressive, with a 9-1-1 record and a.940 save percentage. He also has a 1.80 goals against average, which are both tops in the NHL.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage 0.608
Next seven days:@ ARI (Feb. 25, vs. COL(Feb. 26, vs. SJ [March 1]
Vegas is solidly established as a playoff contender in this season’s league, but the team has only one 20 goal scorer. Jonathan Marchessault. This is proof that the by-committee model can actually work!
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage 0.620
Next seven days:@ SEA (Feb. 24, @ SJ (Feb. 26, @ LA (Feb. 28, @ ANA [March 1]
We probably don’t have enough. Charlie McAvoyThe season in Boston. While Brad MarchandAnd Patrice BergeronMcAvoy’s stats are some of the best he has ever seen. Through just 46 games, McAvoy reached career highs for points and goals. He is also a key factor in Boston’s continued dominance in goals against despite its troubles.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage 0.625
Next seven days:@ NYR, @ PHI, vs..TOR (Feb. 28).
In the curious stats department, Washington (a Metro Division legend) is the NHL’s leader in scoring the first goal (35), but also has the second-most losses after the first quarter (five), as well as the 20th-highest winning percentage in such games (.739). Curious.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage 0.590
Next seven days:@ TB (Feb. 23, @ FLA (Feb. 26, @ CAR (Feb. 27, @ PHI (March 1)
Although the Oilers have not scored the most goals in a game (15), Edmonton has the best record (15-0-0) for opening games.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage 0.608
Next seven days:vs. DAL(Feb. 24, vs. TB(Feb. 26,)
The Predators have exceeded all expectations this season, it’s clear. However, numbers lately have not been as good. After going almost the entire campaign without losing back-to-back, Nashville hadn’t beat a playoff team since Jan. 11. Can they build on the 43-save performance that they had. David RittichFor the Panthers?
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage 0.571
Next seven days:WPG (Feb. 23, @ NSH (Feb. 24,), vs. BUF(Feb. 27,)
While Joe PavelskiAnd Jason RobertsonThey have led the offensive charge in Dallas. Braden HoltbyAnd Jake OettingerInvisibly, they have formed one of NHL’s most dominant goaltending duos. Both players have posted 2.78 goals-against averages and a save percentage of.912 in 21 starts. This is a key factor in the Stars’ playoff hopes.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage 0.557
Next seven days:vs. LA (Feb. 25, vs. NYI [Feb. 27, vs. BOS] (March 1)
Sure, Trevor ZegrasThis is what has been making headlines recently, but Troy TerryTerry is still the Ducks’ best player and most consistent, scoring 26 goals more than Zegras (13). Terry’s remarkable shooting percentage (24.1%) ranks second among NHL skaters with at most 40 games.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage 0.590
Next seven days: @ ARI (Feb. 23), @ ANA (Feb. 25), vs. NYI (Feb. 26), vs. BOS (Feb. 28)
Los Angeles is fighting to retain its playoff berth, and to keep up with the Pacific Division. L.A. is the NHL’s top-three team in shots on goal (over 35 per match) and shots against (28 per match).
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage 0.519
Next seven days:vs. CGY, @ NYR (Feb. 27, @ NJ (Feb. 28,)
Bruce Boudreau’s contributions to the Canucks have been numerous. The most striking stat is Vancouver’s winning percentage of.640 in Boudreau’s first 25 games as a bench coach. This was higher than Washington, Boston, and Calgary.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage 0.530
Next seven days:@ FLA, @ CAR, Feb. 24, vs. PIT (Feb. 27), @ CAR (Feb. 25), vs.
It’s a comeback. Columbus has won more games (6), and has the third best winning percentage (.273) in trailing after 2 periods than any other team.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage 0.520
Next seven days:@ DAL, @ COL, @ ARI (Feb. 25), @ FTL (March 1)
This season, the Jets’ lack of consistency has been a weakness. Winnipeg has only managed three wins streaks exceeding three games in 50 games. The best streak was four consecutive wins in October.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage 0.500
Next seven days:vs. NYI, vs. BOS, Feb. 26, vs. SEA (Feb. 27, vs. VGK (March 1)
Talk about top performers! In San Jose’s 49 first-round games, there were 130 goals. 35% of those came from two players.Timo MeierAnd Tomas Hertl).
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage 0.510
Next seven days:vs. CAR (March 1), vs. FCOL (Feb. 23, vs. TOR (Feb. 26, vs. CAR (March 1)
If Dylan LarkinIf this trend continues, 2021-22 could prove to be a great year. Red Wings’ Captain is among the top 10 scorers since December. He has only suffered a one-game point drought during that stretch, and has scored 52 points in 46 games.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage 0.390
Next seven days:@ PIT, @ CHI, (Feb. 24-), vs. VAN(Feb.28), @ CBJ. (March 1)
New Jersey will work on its details. The Devil is in all the details. The Devils have seen their first-period leads (six), turn into losses and gave up the NHL’s most even-strength goal (135).
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage 0.489
Next seven days:@ SJ, @ LA (Feb. 25), @ ANA(Feb. 27), and @ COL. (March 1)
The Islanders are currently at the bottom in NHL scoring, but they have made some progress. New York scored four goals or more in its next 19 games after scoring four goals or more in five of its initial 23 games.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage 0.392
Next seven days:WSH (Feb. 26), EDM (March 1)
Philadelphia has only one regulation win since Dec. 16. This is a hard pill to swallow.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage 0.423
Next seven days:vs. NJ (Feb. 25,) vs. STL(Feb. 27,)
It shouldn’t surprise, considering the Blackhawks’ previous two seasons. But seeing a Patrick KaneStat line of only 13 goals in 48 games is still “wait, what?” It’s a very special moment.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage 0.392
Next seven days:@ MTL, @ STL (Feb. 24), @ DAL(Feb. 27).
In the “not how they drew them up” department, Buffalo has had six goalies to dress this season. Each one must have at least four starts. That’s quite a bit of turnover.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage 0.430
Next seven days:vs. MTL 26 Feb., @ TB 1 March
Quick tip: When playing Ottawa, the Senators have scored more goals from deflections (13) than any other team. Goalies, beware.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage 0.284
Next seven days:vs. BUF, @ OTT (Feb. 23), & @ WPG (March 1)
With wins in games No. 49, 50 and 51, the Canadiens have achieved their first win streak this season. 49, 50, and 51. This stat is further enhanced by the fact that two of the wins were over teams in playoff positions (St. Louis, Toronto).
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage 0.340
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Feb. 24), @ SJ (Feb. 27)
While Seattle might have had some problems this season (28.3), the expansion group has been the NHL’s best team at limiting shots against. It’s disappointing Seattle doesn’t have better goaltending.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage 0.300
Next seven days:vs. LA, vs. VGK, vs. WPG (Feb. 27,)
Arizona’s discipline has been lacking. The NHL’s lowest net penalty total (minus-39) is the Coyotes. They take nearly 4.5 offenses per game and draw only 3.6.