Sabres Continue Rise, Senators Enter NHL Power Rankings

Several teams have surged since the Olympic break, while others have struggled to regain momentum.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:00am

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The NHL's Super 16 power rankings have seen some significant shifts since the league returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics break. While many of the top teams have maintained their strong performance, some surprising squads like the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets have climbed up the standings and into playoff contention. However, perennial powerhouses such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights have faltered since the break, raising concerns about their ability to regain their form heading into the postseason.

Why it matters

The post-Olympic portion of the NHL season is a critical juncture that can make or break a team's playoff hopes. Strong performances from unexpected teams like the Senators and Blue Jackets could shake up the playoff picture, while struggles from elite squads like the Lightning and Golden Knights could open the door for other contenders to emerge. These rankings provide valuable insight into the current state of the league and which teams are poised to make a deep postseason run.

The details

The Super 16 power rankings analyze how the top 16 teams in the NHL have fared since the Olympic break, highlighting what's working well and what may need improvement. The Colorado Avalanche remain atop the rankings, led by the dynamic duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, who have been among the league's hottest players since play resumed. However, other teams like the Senators and Blue Jackets have made significant strides, surging up the standings and into playoff contention.

  • The NHL returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics break on February 25, 2026.
  • All 32 teams have played at least 10 games since the Olympic break.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

A star forward for the Colorado Avalanche who has continued his strong play since the Olympic break, recording 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) in that span.

Martin Necas

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who has been one of the NHL's hottest players since the Olympic break, leading the league with 9 goals and 19 points in that time.

Nikita Kucherov

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who has led the league in points since the Olympic break, but the Lightning have struggled to regain their momentum.

Ottawa Senators

A team that has surged up the standings and into playoff contention since the Olympic break, defying expectations.

Columbus Blue Jackets

A team that has also climbed up the standings and into playoff contention since the Olympic break, surprising many observers.

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What they’re saying

“Though Nathan MacKinnon gets all the attention with the Avalanche, and rightfully so, Martin Necas has been one of the hottest players in the NHL since the Olympics. The forward had nine goals entering Wednesday since play resumed Feb. 25, most in the NHL, and 19 points that was one behind the leader Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. MacKinnon is no slouch either, with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) since coming back from Milan. That is a huge 1-2 punch that will be hard for anyone to handle come the postseason.”

— Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

The takeaway

The post-Olympic portion of the NHL season has seen a shakeup in the league's power dynamics, with some unexpected teams surging into playoff contention while traditional powerhouses have struggled to regain their footing. This unpredictable stretch of the season could have major implications for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as teams fight to secure their place in the postseason and position themselves for a deep run.