ESPN.com · Jan 5, 2022
NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus one big question for every team
As the NHL's 32 teams all work their way back from the holiday break -- and various postponements due to COVID-19 -- it's time for another round of the power rankings. And this week, we're also laying out the most pivotal situations for every club by identifying one big question for 2022.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another -- taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule -- and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the last edition, published on Dec. 15. Points percentages are through Tuesday's games.
1. Carolina Hurricanes