February 11, 2025
By Tab Bamford

CHICAGO, IL — We have arrived at the post-Super Bowl, mid-February break in the NHL calendar with the 4 Nations Face-Off coming in hot this week.

Players who are competing are excited; players who had to opt out because of injuries are dejected. Most other players are either healing somewhere or enjoying golf/beach time.

We’re going to add an element this week before the dance begins with our rankings of the teams in the 4 Nations Face-Off before jumping into the NHL.

Feel free, as always, to let us know where we’re spot on and what’s terribly, awfully wrong.

4 Nations Face-Off Power Rankings

4. Finland

They can’t afford to lose any more defensemen at this point.

3. Sweden

Solid lineup from top to bottom. Can their goaltending give them an edge on Canada?

2. Canada

Sid’s playing. That’s all they needed to hear.

1. United States

The best goaltending in the tournament and some big boys up front make the Americans the team to beat.

NHL Power Rankings at the Break

32. San Jose Sharks

The excitement around Celebrini has faded into the worst record in the league. San Jose limped into the break, going 1-8-1 in their last 10 before taking a couple weeks off.

31. Montreal Canadiens

One of six teams in the NHL to have a goal differential of at least minus-30, the Habs won just two of their last ten heading into the break. They needed a vacation.

30. Philadelphia Flyers

Another team that needed some time to collect their thoughts, the Flyers had points in four of their last ten games before the break.

29. Chicago Blackhawks

The Bedard criticism talk may have only fueled him; he has points in 19 of his last 22 games (9 goals, 14 assists during those 22 games).

28. Pittsburgh Penguins

With a minus-37 goal differential (third worst in the NHL) and 4-5-1 record in their last 10 games before the break, at least Sid can try to win something significant at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

27. Nashville Predators

They got blown out by the Blackhawks last week and have a minus-35 goal differential. The wheels didn’t come off… they were never on in Nashville this season.

26. Boston Bruins

The Bs lost their last two games before the break and own a minus-25 goal differential with a pedestrian 9-15-3 road record.

25. Buffalo Sabres

They might be closer to the top of the lottery than the playoff picture at the moment, but they were relatively warm heading into the break. The Sabres were 5-5-0 in their last 10 before the break.  

24. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are three points ahead of the Sabres in the standings but have played three more games. They’re in the mix for the No. 4 spot in the draft lottery at this point.

23. St. Louis Blues

At 3-6-1 in their last 10 before the break, the Blues needed a 10-round shootout to beat the Blackhawks in their last game.

22. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim won their last three before the break to improve to a minus-28 goal differential. They’ve been a .500 team at home and on the road most of the season. Can they make a swing up the standings after the break, or will they sell?

21. Utah Hockey Club

They’re down to three potential names, but would undoubtedly like to be better at home. They’re 9-12-6 in their new barn.

20. New York Islanders

Once again stuck in the middle as a postseason hopeful, the Isles are trying to sort things out with Brock Nelson beyond this season while also evaluating their options before the deadline.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets

At 4-5-1 in their last 10 before the break, the Blue Jackets are still hanging around the playoff picture.

18. Calgary Flames

At 4-5-1 in their last 10 before the break, the Flames are on the fringe of the Western Conference playoff conversation despite a minus-17 goal differential.

17. New York Rangers

We’ll see if adding J.T. Miller was what they needed to make a jump in the standings and lock in a playoff spot.

16. Vancouver Canucks

We’ll see if trading J.T. Miller away was what they needed to make a jump in the standings and lock in a playoff spot.

15. Los Angeles Kings

Despite getting Drew Doughty back, the Kings were 4-4-2 in their last 10 before the break. They’ll look to add a missing piece or two before the deadline.

14. Ottawa Senators

The middle of the Eastern Conference playoff chase is a mess. Somebody is going to have to emerge at some point. Will Ottawa add before the deadline?

13. Detroit Red Wings

Same deal as Ottawa. Detroit was 7-2-1 in their last 10 before the break to slip ahead of the Sens in the standings. What will Yzerman do before March 7?

12. Vegas Golden Knights

Just 4-3-3 in their last 10 before the break, the Knights are now looking up at Edmonton the Pacific and have Minnesota on their heels for the fourth spot overall in the Western Conference.

11. Colorado Avalanche

Martin Necas has probably been better than advertised since coming in as part of the blockbuster trade. The Avs might not be done dealing.

10. New Jersey Devils

Can the Devils stay healthy enough to scare people in the postseason? They have a plus-33 goal differential at the break.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs have just a plus-13 goal differential entering the break. Their 19-11-0 record at home is solid.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Okay, so Mikko Rantanen hasn’t hit as big as everyone wanted right away. Let’s allow the dust to settle and see how this team is rolling in April.

7. Minnesota Wild

The Wild went 6-4-0 in their last 10 before the break and are in great position to be a lock for the playoffs; the top half of the Central Division is good. The bottom half? Not so much.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

Owners of a plus-44 goal differential (third-best in the league), the Bolts will undoubtedly make their usual tweaks before the deadline to make another push.

5. Edmonton Oilers

Only 5-4-1 in their last 10 before the break, the Oilers lead the Pacific in point percentage (thanks, Vegas).

4. Florida Panthers

The Panthers won seven of their last ten before the break and have a number of players in the 4 Nations Face-Off. They know what it takes to win, so look out.

3. Dallas Stars

They made a nice deal before the break but still have some injury concerns to sort out (and cap space they could work with if they choose to do so).

2. Washington Capitals

The Caps have a nine-point lead on the rest of the Eastern Conference and a plus-56 goal differential. Ovi is stealing eyeballs and headlines, but this team is legit.

1. Winnipeg Jets

Yes, we have a new team atop our Power Rankings for the first time in a while. Winnipeg rolled into the break, winning their last eight games. They’re the top team in the West and have a nine-point gap above the Oilers and Stars.