Parity still shapes much of the NHL landscape, but by mid-December, a bold line has been drawn at the very top. The Colorado Avalanche have set a pace that no one else has matched, separating themselves from a crowded field of NHL challengers.
The teams chasing them show bright flashes but also apparent gaps. Dallas has depth and consistency, but has yet to hit Colorado’s top gear. Carolina is redefining its online identity. Vegas is rediscovering its championship form after a slow start. Minnesota is riding the confidence of a rookie goaltender who has changed its season. Anaheim’s early optimism has cooled, while the Islanders are grinding their way back into relevance. For fans scanning odds or tracking trends at a fast withdrawal casino, the hierarchy feels stable at the very top, with everyone else still trying to close the gap.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado’s place at number one rests on more than reputation. The Avalanche sit near the top of the league in goals per game and shot generation, and their top players drive those results. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team in scoring, recently passing Joe Sakic for most goals in Avalanche history, and sits among the NHL’s top point producers, averaging well over a point per game with a substantial on-ice shot share that tilts play in Colorado’s favor almost every night. His combination of speed and puck control shows up in both raw production and possession metrics, where Colorado consistently out-chances opponents when he is on the ice.
The support behind him is strong. Cale Makar ranks among league leaders in scoring by defensemen and logs heavy minutes in all situations, driving a power play that converts at a high clip and a defense that exits cleanly and quickly. Colorado’s depth forwards contribute enough offense to keep opponents from focusing solely on the stars, and their goaltending has been solid enough to back an aggressive, high-event style. That blend of elite talent, depth, and numbers leaves little room to argue their spot on top.
Dallas Stars
Dallas holds the second spot thanks to a blend of top-end skill, reliable depth, and a two-way mindset that travels well. The Stars rank near the top of the Western Conference in both points and goal differential, reflecting a team that wins more than it trades chances. Several of their forwards already sit in or around the 20–30 point range, giving them multiple lines that can create offense without sacrificing defensive structure.
In goal, the Stars have received strong play, which shows up in both traditional and advanced statistics. Jake Ottinger is making a case for the starting goalie job for Team USA at the Olympics. Oettinger, who turns 27 next week, is 14-4-2 with two shutouts, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage in 20 games this season. He is 7-1-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .929 save percentage since November 15. Dallas’ penalty kill rates well above league average, and their ability to lock down leads late in games has become a defining trait of this group in 2025-26.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina continues to dominate many of the underlying metrics that have defined its identity in recent years. The Hurricanes sit among the league leaders in shot attempts and expected goals at five-on-five, consistently out-shooting and out-chancing opponents. Their top skaters again drive possession, and the team spends a large share of its time in the offensive zone.
The bigger story this season has come between the pipes. Rookie Brandon Bussi has emerged as the primary option, playing to a degree that could make Frederick Andersen expendable before the trade deadline. Bussi’s .910 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average stand out for the right reasons—especially given how Andersen’s numbers tell a different story. Andersen currently owns an .875 save percentage and a 3.15 goals-against average through 14 appearances. The larger concern, though, is his durability. Since his first season with Carolina in 2021-22, when he played 52 games, Andersen hasn’t topped 34 games in a single year and has appeared in just 38 total over the two seasons preceding 2025-26.
Those numbers represent a clear upgrade on the inconsistency that has hurt Carolina in past seasons. With Bussi stabilizing the crease, the Hurricanes’ strong territorial play is translating more cleanly into wins, justifying their place in the top three.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas has climbed back into familiar territory after a shaky opening month. The Golden Knights now sit in a playoff position with a positive goal differential, and their recent stretch of games features more wins than losses as their play has tightened. Their five-on-five numbers indicate a team that has regained a positive shot and chance share, reflecting a return to the connected, detail-oriented style that brought them success.
Goaltending has been a key factor in that turnaround. Their tandem has produced a combined save percentage that hovers around or slightly above league average, which is enough given their structured defensive play. Vegas’ penalty kill rates have solidified, and their ability to close out one-goal games has improved as the season has progressed. That combination has allowed them to catch and pass teams like Anaheim and reassert themselves as a serious factor in the Western Conference.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota’s rise into the top five is one of the more notable mid-December developments. The turning point has come in net, where rookie Jesper Wallstedt has taken over starting duties. Through his first 10 starts of the season, Wallstedt has posted eight wins, a goals-against average of 1.74, and a sparkling .944 save percentage with four shutouts, numbers that rank among the best in the league for goalies with a similar workload. Those results have dramatically changed the Wild’s outlook.
That stability has impacted every part of Minnesota’s game. The team has climbed into a strong position in the Central Division standings, with a positive goal differential and improved defensive metrics during Wallstedt’s run. Their penalty kill has tightened, and the skaters are playing with more aggression, knowing they have a goaltender behind them capable of erasing mistakes. With their top forwards producing at a steady clip, the Wild now look like a legitimate playoff threat rather than a bubble team.
Stock Falling: Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim’s early-season momentum has faded, and the standings reflect that slide. The Ducks sit in the bottom half of the league in points and carry a negative goal differential. They rank near the lower tier in goals scored per game and spend too much time pinned in their own zone, as shown by their shot and chance metrics. Despite a young core with offensive potential, they struggle to generate sustained pressure.
The bright spot has been in goal. Starter Lukas Dostal has just returned from injury and delivered strong performances, posting a save percentage that sits above the team’s overall rate and often facing heavy shot volumes. On nights when Anaheim hangs around against stronger competition, Dostal is usually the reason. However, without cleaner defensive play and more consistent scoring support, his individual numbers highlight how much he is masking rather than fixing.
Stock Rising: New York Islanders
The Islanders have quietly started to steady their season after a turbulent opening stretch. They have climbed closer to the playoff mix in the Metropolitan Division, and their recent record shows more wins than losses over the last few weeks. New York’s goals-against numbers have improved, and their overall defensive metrics—shots and chances allowed—have trended in the right direction under a renewed emphasis on structure.
Even with key injuries and roster turnover, the Islanders have found ways to grind out results. Their goaltending remains a strength, with their starter boasting a save percentage above the league average and giving them a chance to win in most games. The offense remains middle of the pack in goals per game, but timely scoring and tight defensive play have turned more close games into two-point nights. In mid-December, that profile fits a team moving up rather than sliding back.