NHL Power Rankings: Sing along to your team’s Christmas song

Whether you like it or not, Christmas is six days away. Ho ho ho!

If you’re not feeling festive, we’ve got a fail-proof method of getting yourself in the correct headspace: Listening to holiday music while scanning a numbered list of hockey teams. This week, we’ve (quite painstakingly, in some cases) found a set of lyrics that apply to each team and their place in the grand scheme of things. We made a playlist and everything. It’s at the bottom.

Happy Holidays from Rankings HQ. We love you very much, and we’ll see you in 2026.

1. Colorado Avalanche, 24-2-7

Last week: 1
Sean: 1
Dom: 1

All is calm, all is bright
— “Silent Night”

Every fanbase has anxiety. Every team has flaws. Every roster has a scapegoat. That’s a common feeling across all teams across all sports. The Avalanche might be one of the few exceptions to that rule. Even when they’re down, they’re not out with a plus-30 goal differential in third periods this season. Even their flaws — a wretched power play — aren’t that frustrating given their current record and personnel. And their roster? Tough to hate anyone right now.

In Colorado, everything is sunshine and rainbows. In Christmas parlance: All is calm, all is bright.

2. Dallas Stars, 22-7-5

Last week: 2
Sean: 2
Dom: 2

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
— “Last Christmas” by Wham!

This was the first Christmas lyric that came to mind. We were all stunned when the Avalanche shunned franchise icon Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes last January. We were even more stunned when he ended up back in the Central Division in a trade to the Stars.

Now, we all get to sit back and watch Rantanen battle his former team for the next eight years, giving his best to a new team that truly wants him. Rantanen was pretty special in last year’s playoffs and he’s kept that up with 44 points in 33 games this year. That’s a 109-point pace.

3. Minnesota Wild, 21-9-5

Last week: 6
Sean: 3
Dom: 3

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
— “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

Our Power Rankings spies did not have boots on the ground in the Twin Cities, but here’s what we believe transpired last Friday morning.

• Bill Guerin was drinking his coffee and blasting Mariah Carey’s timeless Christmas jam “All I Want For Christmas Is You” — his favorite Christmas song
• Guerin opened The Athletic app, ready to read the latest from Mike Russo and Joe Smith
• His interest piqued at the Official Power Rankings Christmas List
• He scrolls to read his team’s blurb only, as many of you are guilty of
• As he gets to the Wild, the chorus perfectly lines up with some disheartening numbers emphasizing Minnesota’s dire need for offense from the blue line
• Guerin starts belting “All I want for Christmas is Hughes”
• He makes The Call

You will not convince us otherwise. This is exactly how it went down. You’re welcome, Minnesota.

4. Carolina Hurricanes, 22-9-2

Last week: 4
Sean: 4
Dom: 4

Santa, honey, one little thing I really need, the deed
To a platinum mine
— “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt

Once again, the Hurricanes were fishing for an ultra-prime piece. Once again, they didn’t reel it in. There’s good news for the Canes, though: Missing out on Quinn Hughes hasn’t stopped them from winning five straight and eight of 10.

5. Vegas Golden Knights, 16-6-10

Last week: 7
Sean: 5
Dom: 5

So he said, “Let’s run and we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away.”
— “Frosty the Snowman”

With 25 points in 16 games, Mark Stone is leading the league in points per 60 while providing his customary outstanding two-way play. Enjoy it while you can, Vegas fans. There are a lot of games left to miss.

6. Washington Capitals, 19-11-4

Last week: 5
Sean: 6
Dom: 6

Oh, there goes Mr. Humbug
There goes Mr. Grim
If they gave a prize for being mean
The winner would be him
— “Scrooge” from “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

Is Tom Wilson as mean as he used to be? Not really. Is he still mean enough? Of course — ask Filip Chytil and, in all likelihood, Team Canada’s front office. That prize is on its way.

7. Florida Panthers, 18-13-2

Last week: 18
Sean: 7
Dom: 8

War is over, if you want it
War is over now
— “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon

It’s understandable that the Panthers were mad at Brandon Hagel for a late hit that injured Aleksander Barkov during the playoffs. At some point, though, they’re going to have to get over it. Seth Jones injured Hagel with a forearm to the head on Tuesday. Enough is enough.

Brandon Hagel really needs to stop getting his head in the way of the innocent Florida Panthers’ forearms, fists and elbows. One of them might catch a light bruise soon https://t.co/Og6OEylza1 pic.twitter.com/U4bM5WyHYN

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 16, 2025

8. Edmonton Oilers, 17-12-6

Last week: 16
Sean: 9
Dom: 7

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the five and ten, it’s glistening once again
— “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Perry Como

Are the Oilers back? Yeah, we’re thinking the Oilers are back. Edmonton is on an 8-3-1 streak and the team’s top dogs are firing on all cylinders. As usual, rumors of this team’s demise are always exaggerated.

9. New York Islanders, 19-12-3

Last week: 9
Sean: 8
Dom: 9

Come, they told me, pa-rum, pum-pum, pum
A newborn King to see, pa-rum, pum-pum, pum
— “The Little Drummer Boy”

Matthew Schaefer just gets better every game and continues to strengthen his shocking case to make Team Canada. He’s a worthy bet by the numbers and looks to be in strong consideration for the final spot on defense. To rule the hockey world this early puts Schaefer in rarified air.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning, 18-13-3

Last week: 3
Sean: 11
Dom: 10

It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
— “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid

Would it be nice if Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh and Andrei Vasilevskiy weren’t missing so much time this year? Yes. But it could be worse — imagine if this happened last year. Tampa Bay’s depth has stepped up all season and that will go a long way toward this team going a long way this spring.

11. Anaheim Ducks, 20-12-2

Last week: 8
Sean: 10
Dom: 12

All through the year we’ve waited
Waited through spring and fall
To hear silver bells ringing
And winter time bringing the happiest season of all
— “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”

Anaheim has a high-end, No. 1 center who doesn’t turn 21 until Dec. 26 (Leo Carlsson), a 21-year-old power forward scoring at a 43-goal pace (Cutter Gauthier) and the leading scorer among rookies (Beckett Sennecke). The rebuild is over, and the wait appears to have been worth it.

12. Los Angeles Kings, 15-10-9

Last week: 10
Sean: 14
Dom: 11

This old house, sure is looking good
Got ourselves the finest snowman in the neighborhood
— “Christmas Vacation” by Mavis Staples

Drew Doughty may not be what he used to be, but he’s still got it. Still playing tough minutes, still dominating defensively, still worthy of Team Canada. An LA living legend.

13. Montreal Canadiens, 18-12-4

Last week: 12
Sean: 12
Dom: 15

I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It’s like you’ve gone away
— “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” from Frozen

It’s not just that Sam Montembeault has been terrible (.857 save percentage, minus-7.23 GSAx). It’s that he’s been absent — he’s started just one game in December.

14. New Jersey Devils, 19-14-1

Last week: 12
Sean: 13
Dom: 14

I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
— “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Frank Sinatra

Devils fans who were extremely confident Quinn Hughes would come play with his brothers as soon as possible received a rude awakening last week from ol’ Billy G. Maybe in two years, but for a team whose window is right now, it was a massive missed opportunity.

15. Detroit Red Wings, 19-13-3

Last week: 14
Sean: 16
Dom: 13

Hallelujah, hallelujah
You know I do some things more different than I used to
‘Cause I’m a player, doing what the players do
— “Player’s Ball (Christmas Mix)” by Outkast

For three seasons, Moritz Seider has grown his game and added to his toolkit. Now, in the midst of a monstrous December, he’s looking like a true Norris Trophy candidate. That’s what players do.

16. Philadelphia Flyers, 17-10-6

Last week: 11
Sean: 15
Dom: 16

What’s this? What’s this?
There’s something very wrong
What’s this?
There’s people singing songs
— “What’s This?” from “A Nightmare Before Christmas”

The Flyers are squarely in a playoff chase! They’re not bad! How is anyone supposed to feel about that?

17. Boston Bruins, 20-15-0

Last week: 13
Sean: 17
Dom: 17

Christmas, Christmastime is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
— “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by Alvin and the Chipmunks

The best thing about Boston’s shocking record is that the Bruins actually stumbled out of the gate, dropping six of their first nine. They’ve been a rocket ship since, going 17-9-0. Will it last? As long as Morgan Geekie keeps scoring at this rate, anything is possible.

18. Ottawa Senators, 16-13-4

Last week: 21
Sean: 18
Dom: 19

Season’s greetings, hope you’re well
Well I’m doing alright
If you were wondering
Lately I can never tell
— “Christmases When You Were Mine” by Taylor Swift

Sean thought he’d be safe from shoehorning Taylor Swift lyrics into the Power Rankings this year, but boy, was he wrong!

Are the Senators good? Are they bad? Are they mid? Nobody knows. They started the season 2-4-1, then went 10-3-3, and then followed that up with a 3-6-0 stretch. Sure, their underlying numbers are good, but they also entered Thursday’s game 14th in the East. Maybe a 4-0 win against the Penguins can spark the next streak in the right direction.

19. New York Rangers, 17-15-4

Last week: 20
Sean: 20
Dom: 20

It’s Christmastime again
It’s time to be nice to the people you can’t stand all year
I’m growing tired of all this Christmas cheer
— “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas” by blink-182

J.T. Miller is already a famously grumpy dude. Now, he’s about to spend Christmas on a team outside the playoff picture, possibly with the sinking feeling that his Olympic spot is in jeopardy. Keep your distance.

20. Buffalo Sabres, 15-14-4

Last week: 26
Sean: 22
Dom: 18

Up there on your tree, better treat me like a star
Spend your cookie dough, dough, dough, spend it on my heart
— “buy me presents” by Sabrina Carpenter

Alex Tuch is really hoping there’s an $11 million check under his tree this Christmas. Will Santa Jarmo put it there or will he trade Tuch in for a pile of presents?

21. Utah Mammoth, 17-16-3

Last week: 23
Sean: 19
Dom: 21

And I know that they say, “Have a happy holiday”
And every year, I sincerely try
Oh, but Christmas, it always makes me cry
— “Christmas Makes Me Cry” by Kacey Musgraves

The Utah Mammoth may only be a two-year-old franchise, but we all know where they came from. The ghosts of the Arizona Coyotes still haunt the franchise lineage; the Mammoth Coyotes have made the playoffs just once since 2011-12. And it’s fair to say that the year they did — 2019-20 when the Coyotes were 11th in the West when the world stopped — barely counts.

The worst part is that the franchise usually knew exactly where it stood by Christmas. Since 2011-12, the Mammoth Coyotes were in a playoff spot on just three occasions at Christmas. It doesn’t look like they’ll add to that total this year either.

22. San Jose Sharks, 17-14-3

Last week: 24
Sean: 21
Dom: 22

The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
— “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

The San Jose Sharks are simply having a wonderful Christmas time, somehow sitting in a playoff spot against all odds. Not even halfway through the season, the Sharks are just 15 points back of last year’s full season total of 52. And we all know why: The kids are all right. Macklin Celebrini is a monster and Yaroslav Askarov has been The Answer in net.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs, 15-13-5

Last week: 17
Sean: 23
Dom: 23

Silent night, holy night
Silent night, nothing feels right
— “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!” by Sufjan Stevens

A team captain doing the “I can’t hear you” gesture on home ice after the Leafs got booed earlier in the game is probably not a great sign for anyone involved. It wasn’t the usual silent night at Scotiabank Arena, but the notoriously apathetic crowd was right to voice their displeasure. For a Leafs team that’s rarely flashed its A-game this season, nothing feels right indeed.

24. Pittsburgh Penguins, 14-10-9

Last week: 15
Sean: 24
Dom: 24

Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more
— “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Judy Garland

Okay, so the Penguins might be pumpkin-ing before our very eyes, dropping seven straight — some of which in absolutely humiliating fashion. But if we told you the Penguins would be playing at a 92-point pace in mid-December, most fans would gladly take that. It’s not over yet for Crosby and Co.

25. Columbus Blue Jackets, 14-14-6

Last week: 22
Sean: 25
Dom: 25

What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin’ in a one-horse sleigh
— “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

Zach Werenski’s Net Rating this year: plus-10.3. The next best Blue Jacket: Kirill Marchenko at plus-3.6. That’s the largest gap in the league. The Blue Jackets are a one-man army and while Werenski is one of the league’s best players, Columbus needs more from the rest if the team is going to push for the playoffs.

26. Nashville Predators, 13-16-4

Last week: 29
Sean: 26
Dom: 26

The last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor
— “Father Christmas” by the Kinks

In the summer of 2024, Barry Trotz tried to give the children of Nashville everything they wanted. It has not gone according to plan.

27. Winnipeg Jets, 15-16-2

Last week: 30
Sean: 27
Dom: 27

And the Christmas bells that ring
There are the clanging chimes of doom
— “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid

Connor Hellebuyck is back, and it might not matter. These guys, average or worse in a bunch of key categories, are on the verge of losing Murat. It’s tough to imagine a worse sign.

28. St. Louis Blues, 13-15-8

Last week: 31
Sean: 28
Dom: 28

And when those blue snowflakes are falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
And I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas
— “Blue Christmas” by Elvis

Doug Armstrong is dropping gems like, “I hope they go on a run. I hope a lot of things. But hope is a bad strategy.” Trade rumors are swirling. A depressing song for a depressing team.

29. Vancouver Canucks, 13-17-3

Last week: 32
Sean: 29
Dom: 29

Santa buddy, fill my stocking with Canucks tix, for kicks
Throw me on the first line
— “Santa Baby” by Michael Bublé

Obviously, we had to throw noted Canucks fan Michael Bublé’s name-drop of the Canucks into the mix. With how the season is going, throwing the Bubes on the first line might be worth a shot — can’t be worse than having David Kampf there.

30. Chicago Blackhawks, 13-15-6

Last week: 25
Sean: 30
Dom: 31

They’re singing “Deck the Halls”
But it’s not like Christmas at all
‘Cause I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
— “Christmas (Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love

Okay so “last year” is obviously a stretch for the Blackhawks, but change that lyric to “last month” and it works. The Blackhawks were flying high and Connor Bedard was ruling the world — things were good. With the Blackhawks reeling and Bedard out until at least January, it sure doesn’t feel like Christmas in Chicago.

31. Calgary Flames, 13-17-4

Last week: 31
Sean: 31
Dom: 31

Overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment
Of deplorable rubbish imaginable
— “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

It’s tough out there finding Christmas lyrics for the bad teams — too many songs that are jolly, not enough about the folly of the Calgary Flames.

It’s the holiday season so we’re not going to name names, but if you haven’t sneaked a peek at this roster in a bit, go take a look. It’s rough.

32. Seattle Kraken, 12-13-6

Last week: 27
Sean: 32
Dom: 32

The three words that best describe you are as follows
And I quote
“Stink, stank, stunk”
— Also “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

On Nov. 22, despite a goal differential of minus-1, the Kraken were 11-5-5. Now look at them. At least they’re not making any bizarre, unforced P.R. mist — oh. Oh no.