NHL Power Rankings: Green Flag, Red Flag (November 30)

At some point on Thursday night, the NHL officially finished the first quarter of its schedule. We’re not going to say “quarter pole,” because it’s a horse-racing term that almost never is used correctly.

In any case, Power Rankings HQ is marking the occasion with a simple game of “green flag, red flag.” There are (generally) real reasons for optimism for every team and, of course, real reasons for pessimism.

Also, as was the case last week, there’s pure chaos in the middle of the list.

1. Colorado Avalanche, 14-1-5

Last week: 1
Sean: 1
Dom: 1

Green flag: (Almost) everything!

In a league where 27 teams feel interchangeably mid, the Avalanche stand alone as The True Good Team. They’re an absolute wagon at five-on-five and it’s amazing that this deep into November, they’ve lost just once in regulation.

Red flag: The power play

We’re tight on bad things to say about this team as, really, there is only one: Colorado’s bafflingly bad power play. It boggles the mind that a unit with this much talent not only can’t score, but isn’t even getting chances that it bears repeating daily until it’s fixed.

2. Carolina Hurricanes, 13-5-2

Last week: 4
Sean: 2
Dom: 2

Green flag: Shayne Gostisbehere is nasty

Guess who leads the NHL with an average Game Score of 2.58. Gostisbehere didn’t get there by offense alone, either – his actual and expected goal shares are both well into the 70s, and he has the lowest expected goals against/per 60 in the league among defensemen.

Red flag: The end of Selke Staal?

Since 2017-18, the Hurricanes have been outscored with Staal on the ice just once. They’re in a 10-9 deficit there at the moment, and his expected goal share (51.5) would be his worst since 2020-21.

3. Dallas Stars, 13-5-3

Last week: 2
Sean: 4
Dom: 3

Green flag: Miro Heiskanen, Norris finalist?

It’s almost strange that a player so good and so respected has never come all that close to winning the Norris. If he keeps this up, that’ll change. He’s providing his typically high-end play in monster minutes, including 28:13 on Thursday, and his production is up: He’s fifth among defensemen with 19 points, and his 2.13 points/60 is nearly a full point above last season.

Red flag: Thomas Harley

A week-to-week injury is never good news,but it might serve as some sort of explanation for Harley’s play in his first 18 games: Dallas was outscored 15-9 with him on the ice,and his expected goal share was about 42 percent.

4. anaheim Ducks, 13-7-1

last week: 5
Sean: 3
Dom: 4

Green flag: Jacob Trouba being worth every penny

We don’t know what’s gotten into Trouba, but he continues to be one of the brightest spots on Anaheim’s blue line. A late-career renaissance like this is a nice bonus for a team on the rise.

Red flag: Power play regression?

## NHL Power Rankings: Week 8 – The Top Teams Continue to Separate

Here’s a look at where teams stand as we approach the quarter mark of the season, with green and red flags for each club.

## 1. vegas Golden Knights, 15-5-2

last week: 1
Sean: 1
dom: 1

Green flag: Jack Eichel is looking like Jack Eichel

After a concerning start to the season, Eichel has found his stride, posting 19 points in his last 16 games. He’s driving play and looks like the offensive force Vegas hoped for when they acquired him.

Red flag: Mark Stone’s health

Stone has been limited to just nine games this season due to injury, and his absence is felt. the Golden knights are a different team when he’s not in the lineup, and his long-term health remains a concern.

2.Boston Bruins, 14-5-3

Last week: 2
Sean: 2
Dom: 2

Green flag: Linus Ullmark is still elite

Despite a slight dip in stats compared to his Vezina-winning season, Ullmark remains one of the league’s top goaltenders. He’s consistently making key saves and keeping the Bruins in games.

Red flag: Offensive depth

While the Bruins’ top line is producing, their secondary scoring has been inconsistent. They need more contributions from their depth forwards to remain a true contender.

3.New York Rangers, 14-6-3

Last week: 3
Sean: 3
Dom: 3

Green flag: Artemi Panarin is on a mission

Panarin is playing at a Hart trophy level, leading the league in points with 31. He’s been a dominant offensive force and is carrying the Rangers’ attack.

Red flag: Defensive consistency

the Rangers’ defense has been prone to breakdowns at times, leading to costly goals. They need to tighten up defensively to avoid falling into deep holes.

4. Colorado Avalanche, 13-6-3

Last week: 4
Sean: 4
Dom: 4

Green flag: Nathan MacKinnon is a force

MacKinnon continues to be a dominant offensive player, leading the Avalanche in scoring. His speed, skill, and determination make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Red flag: Goaltending uncertainty

While Alexandar Georgiev has shown flashes of brilliance, he’s been inconsistent at times. The Avalanche need more reliable goaltending to make a deep playoff run.

5. Vancouver Canucks, 14-7-2

Last week: 5
Sean: 5
Dom: 5

Green flag: Thatcher demko is back

Demko has returned to form after a down season, posting strong numbers and providing the Canucks with a reliable backbone in net.

Red flag: Can they maintain this pace?

The Canucks’ early success has been impressive, but it remains to be seen if they can sustain this level of play throughout the season. they’ll need to prove they’re not just a hot start.

6. Dallas Stars, 12-7-3

Last week: 6
Sean: 6
Dom: 6

Green flag: Jason Robertson is heating up

After a slow start, Robertson is finding his scoring touch, adding much-needed offensive firepower to the Stars’ lineup.

Red flag: Miro Heiskanen’s injury

Heiskanen’s injury is a significant blow to the Stars’ defense. He’s a key player and his absence will be felt on both ends of the ice.

7. new Jersey Devils, 12-8-3

Last week: 8
Sean: 7
Dom: 8

Green flag: Jack Hughes is elite

Hughes is quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s premier centers. His speed, skill, and playmaking ability make him a dynamic offensive threat.

Red flag: Goaltending woes

The Devils’ goaltending has been a major weakness this season. They

NHL Power Rankings: Week 9 – The Bedard Bump and Kraken Concerns

19. Seattle Kraken, 10-5-5

Green flag: Matt Murray is back

It’s been a long road back to relevancy for Matt Murray, who played just two games last season, but his first five for the Kraken have felt revelatory. He looks like his old self again with a .924 save percentage and 5.6 goals saved. If the kraken play their cards right, they might be able to get a first-round pick out of Edmonton.

Red flag: Worst xG in the league

No one really wants to believe in the Kraken with their whole chest, even if Seattle is currently third in the Pacific based on points percentage. No team gets out-chanced more than the Kraken and that’s the reddest of all red flags on the list. Don’t buy their record.

20. minnesota Wild, 10-7-4

Green flag: Jesper Wallstedt

Wallstedt just went nearly three hours’ worth of game time without allowing a goal, pushing his save percentage up to .926 and GSAx up to nearly four. That’s the sort of play that made Wallstedt a top prospect before a messy 2024-25 AHL season.

Red flag: They already paid Filip Gustavsson

There’s nothing wrong with having multiple options in net, and Gustavsson has been better than his .897 save percentage indicates, but that five-year, $34 million contract he signed all the way back in October might come back to haunt Minnesota.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets, 11-8-2

Green flag: Zach Werenski looks Norris-calibre again

In case you were on the fence about Werenski’s place in the elite defenseman hierarchy, he’s putting on another Norris-worthy season with the Blue Jackets. Werenski probably won’t catch cale Makar, but he’s playing big minutes, scoring a bunch and absolutely tilting the ice at five-on-five. His impact on xG and goals is among the league’s very best.

Red flag: The regression boys

Last season, Kent Johnson’s on-ice shooting percentage of 13.2 percent was fourth highest in the league. Sean Monahan’s 12.0 percent was 17th. Both have struggled to score out of the gate and not getting those same bounces is a big reason why. Johnson, in particular, ranks last on the blue Jackets at 6.9 percent.

22. Montreal Canadiens, 10-7-3

Green flag: Nick Suzuki is a legitimate No. 1 center

Suzuki is on pace for 83 points, and he’s doing it against top competition. He’s driving play, winning faceoffs, and looks like a player who can carry a team offensively.

Red flag: The power play is… not good

The Canadiens’ power play is clicking at just 15.4 percent, which is 26th in the league. That’s a problem for a team that needs every advantage it can get. They’re getting the opportunities, they just aren’t capitalizing.

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Publication Date: 2025/11/21 17:20:45

NHL Power Rankings: November 21, 2025

1. New York Rangers, 17-5-1

Last week: 1
Sean: 1
Dom: 1

Green flag: Artemi Panarin is on a tear.

Panarin is playing at a hart Trophy level. he’s driving offense, creating chances, and consistently finding the back of the net. The Rangers’ success hinges on his continued brilliance.

Red flag: Igor Shesterkin’s workload.

Shesterkin is phenomenal, but the Rangers need to be mindful of overusing him. A tired Shesterkin is a less effective Shesterkin,and they can’t afford a dip in his performance during a crucial part of the season.

2. Vegas Golden Knights, 15-6-2

Last week: 2
Sean: 2
Dom: 2

Green flag: Mark Stone’s return.

Having Stone back in the lineup elevates the Golden Knights to another level.His two-way play and leadership are invaluable.

Red flag: special teams consistency.

Vegas’s power play and penalty kill have been inconsistent. Addressing these issues will be key to maintaining their position at the top of the standings.

3. Florida panthers, 14-7-1

Last week: 3
Sean: 3
Dom: 3

Green flag: Matthew Tkachuk’s impact.

Tkachuk continues to be a game-changer for the Panthers. His physicality, skill, and ability to draw penalties make him a nightmare for opponents.

Red flag: Goaltending depth.

While Sergei Bobrovsky is playing well, the Panthers’ backup situation is a concern. They need reliable goaltending depth to navigate a long season.

4. Vancouver Canucks, 14-8-1

Last week: 4
Sean: 4
Dom: 4

Green flag: Thatcher Demko’s stellar play.

Demko is a top-tier goaltender and is consistently stealing games for the Canucks. His performance is a major reason for their success.

Red flag: Offensive consistency beyond the top line.

The Canucks need more consistent offensive contributions from their bottom-six forwards. Relying too heavily on the top line is unsustainable.

5.Boston bruins, 12-8-2

Last week: 5
Sean: 5
Dom: 5

Green flag: David Pastrnak’s scoring touch.

Pastrnak remains one of the league’s most dangerous goal-scorers. His ability to find the back of the net is crucial for the Bruins’ offense.

Red flag: Centre depth.

Injuries have exposed a lack of depth at center. Finding reliable players to fill those roles is essential.

6.Colorado avalanche, 12-9-1

Last week: 6
Sean: 6
Dom: 6

Green flag: Nathan MacKinnon’s dominance.

MacKinnon is playing like an MVP candidate. His speed,skill,and playmaking