From multiple A’s down to two F’s, here’s what has gone right (and wrong) for every club.
The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its quarter mark, with all 32 teams having played more than 20 games.
As usual, there are some positive surprises — looking squarely at the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks — as well as the not-so-positive surprises, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks.
But, how does each team grade out on its report card for the first 25% of the season? Here’s a rundown of what has gone right, what has gone wrong and a first-quarter letter grade for all 32 clubs.
Note: Teams are listed alphabetically by letter grade. Ryan S. Clark graded the Pacific and Central Division teams, and Kristen Shilton graded the Metropolitan and Atlantic Division teams. Stats are through the games of Nov. 23.
Preseason over/under: 103.5
Current points pace: 137.9
What has gone right? They lead the NHL in goals per game while also giving up the fewest goals per game. They’re generating the most scoring chances per 60 minutes, shots per 60 and scoring chances per 60 in 5-on-5 play. Their defensive structure has made them a top-10 team in terms of the fewest shots allowed per 60 and fewest high-danger chances per 60.
Nathan MacKinnon is in a position to win his second Hart Trophy. Cale Makar could win his third Norris Trophy — and could challenge MacKinnon for the Hart. They now appear to have the supporting cast capable of providing consistent contributions.
The Avs might be the best team in the NHL. And at their current pace, they could threaten, if not surpass, the Bruins’ record of 135 regular-season points set in the 2022-23 regular season.
What has gone wrong? Leading the NHL with 4.00 goals per game comes with the assumption that the Avs can score in any situation. But, the Avs are struggling when it comes to consistently scoring goals on the power play. Entering Monday, the Avs had a bottom-10 power-play unit that was converting on only 15.7% of its opportunities.
Grade: A+
Preseason over/under: 83.5
Current points pace: 108.1
What has gone right? They’re fighting for the Pacific Division crown. They have the second-most prolific attack in terms of goals per game. They’re continuing to see their young talent grow all while offseason addition Chris Kreider had 14 points in his first 15 games.
But what might be the strongest indication of just how well the Ducks are doing this season is Leo Carlsson’s projected scoring pace. A Ducks player has finished with more than 100 points in a season only four times in franchise history. Carlsson is not only on pace to join a list with Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, but he’s projected to finish with 108 points. That places Carlsson in a position to have what could be one of the best individual seasons in team history, and threaten Selanne’s franchise record of 109 points.
What has gone wrong? An overreliance on Lukas Dostal in the defensive zone. Dostal has started 17 of the Ducks’ first 22 games. It’s a pace that has him projected to play 63 games — which is the sort of workload reserved for top-tier goalies such as Connor Hellebuyck, Juuse Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
But there’s also the underlying numbers. The Ducks are in the top three in terms of most scoring chances allowed, shots against and high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60, per Natural Stat Trick. It’s a contrast from Dostal posting a 5.42 goals saved above expected, which is sixth among goalies with more than 10 games.
Grade: A
Preseason over/under: 103.5
Current points pace: 111.8
What has gone right? Glen Gulutzan’s second stint in charge of the Stars could be defined by perspective. There are some questions why the Stars are in the bottom 10 in scoring chances per 60, shots per 60 and high-danger scoring chances per 60. But there are also those who would argue that maybe it’s just a sign of efficiency. The Stars have the NHL’s No. 2 power-play unit, and are also 10th in goals per game.
It’s a promising return on a season that began with questions about how they would fare under a new coach, while taking into account that they lost three forwards in Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund and Mason Marchment in the offseason.
What has gone wrong? There has been a bit of a disconnect with how the Stars perform in the defensive zone in 5-on-5 play compared to the penalty kill. They’re among the top 10 teams in fewest goals allowed per game, and high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60. They are also sitting around league average in allowing the fewest shots per 60. Yet their PK hasn’t been up to par, with a success rate of 75.7%, which is in the bottom 10 in the NHL.
Grade: A
Preseason over/under: 84.5
Current points pace: 100.6
What has gone right? Detroit is having its best start in a decade, and it’s not for one reason in particular. This is a group effort delivering on GM Steve Yzerman’s vision for the Red Wings as a high-skilled, defensively responsible team. Head coach Todd McLellan is maximizing Detroit’s potential in his first full season.
The defensive buy-in isn’t only reflected in stats — such as how the Red Wings average among the fewest shots against per game this season — but in how skaters such as Dylan Larkin are thriving. The Red Wings’ captain leads the team in goals and points and has provided invaluable leadership to the equally impressive rookie forwards Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson.
On the back end, rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka has been an important presence, and provided Detroit with the depth it needed to be among the Atlantic’s best.
What has gone wrong? The Red Wings have leaned on a strong power play this season; it’s their even-strength scoring that can improve. It won’t be sustainable for Detroit to rely on the extra man to see it through.
Although the Red Wings have shored up collectively on defense, they’re still giving up over three goals against per game, which speaks in part to their goaltending. Cam Talbot has been better this season than last but John Gibson — Yzerman’s big offseason acquisition — hasn’t been any sort of savior. The Red Wings have to hope that tandem can be a difference-maker for them from here.
Grade: A
Preseason over/under: 84.5
Current points pace: 99.8
What has gone right? Let’s start with the obvious: Matthew Schaefer. The rookie defenseman arrived better than advertised after New York selected him No. 1 in the 2025 draft. Schaefer is electric at both ends of the ice, and takes on important minutes (over 22 per game) that shows how much confidence coach Patrick Roy already has in the Calder Trophy favorite.
And he’s not the only exciting rookie that has Islanders fans buzzing. Maxim Shabanov delivered a breakout three-point performance to cap off a recent 6-1-0 trip, illustrating why New York coveted the former KHL player (and why he’s likely to earn a promotion from the fourth line).
Beyond those two skaters, the Islanders are getting solid goaltending from Ilya Sorokin and David Rittich and, for a team that has consistently searched for more offense, New York is top 10 in the NHL in goals, on the efforts of Bo Horvat (having his best start in years) and a healthy Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri.
What has gone wrong? The Islanders aren’t packing a potent power play (it’s among the league’s worst) and there’s concern that their offense might be too top-heavy to keep pace with deeper clubs. New York also just lost one of its best defensemen — Alexander Romanov — for five to six months after shoulder surgery following a hit from Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen.
Given how the Islanders have exceeded expectations so far, it’s hard to nitpick what else hasn’t worked for them in the grand scheme of the first quarter.
Grade: A
Preseason over/under: 77.5
Current points pace: 97.6
What has gone right? Pittsburgh is arguably one the season’s most surprising contenders. Few would have picked the Penguins to be in the Eastern Conference playoff mix at the season’s quarter mark.
This is a different Penguins’ team under first-year head coach Dan Muse, who is pushing all the right buttons. Muse’s system brings out the best in Pittsburgh’s skaters by giving them freedom to operate, and that has paid off in the Penguins’ growing confidence. Pittsburgh is giving up the second-fewest goals this season, ranks top 10 in offense and has the league’s best power play. The Penguins’ goaltending has benefitted from the emergence of Arturs Silovs and an improved Tristan Jarry. Basically, it has been all systems go for Pittsburgh.
What has gone wrong? The Penguins have a problem closing out certain games — namely, those stretching beyond regulation. Pittsburgh is 0-4 this season in overtime and the shootout, something Muse has sought to address with practice drills focused on the club’s 3-on-3 work. The standings this season are closer than ever, and leaving points on the board that often is a small area Pittsburgh can clean up.
Rickard Rackell is out for two months because of a broken hand sustained in October, and that will will continue to affect the Penguins’ depth. Jarry going on injured reserve earlier this month was a blow too, and will test Pittsburgh’s resilience.
Grade: A
Preseason over/under: 105.5
Current points pace: 111.8
What has gone right? Carolina isn’t the league’s most exciting team, but it’s one of its best for a reason. The Hurricanes thrive in head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s structure that emphasizes smothering defensive play. Their offense has really excelled this season though, ranking second overall thanks to a potent Seth Jarvis — who leads the team in goals — a slippery Sebastian Aho — pacing Carolina in points — and the always-steady Jordan Staal.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has been excellent in net amid starter Frederik Andersen’s tough start. Overall, the Hurricanes are deep, detailed and disciplined. It’s no wonder they have lost consecutive games only once this season.
What has gone wrong? The Hurricanes haven’t thrived on special teams. Their power play is the worst in the league, and they’re 21st on the penalty kill. It’s a stark reality given how Carolina can dominate at even-strength (it ranks third in 5-on-5 goals) and might be a temporary glitch if Brind’Amour can figure out why the man advantage especially is such a momentum killer.
Carolina also has a goaltending conundrum with Andersen. The often-injured veteran has already dealt with a concussion this season and his numbers have been poor when he is available. Kochetkov can’t be expected to carry the load entirely, so Carolina will need to either get Andersen on track or search for further goaltending options.
Grade: A-
Preseason over/under: 99.5
Current points pace: 105.4
What has gone right? New Jersey’s star-studded offense has been producing at a solid rate this season — Jack Hughes had 20 points through 17 games, Jesper Bratt had 21 through 21 and Nico Hischier is still capable of being one of the league’s premier two-way centers.
The Devils’ goaltending is another strength because of veteran Jake Allen, who has been excellent handling an increased workload this season. Meanwhile, defenseman Simon Nemec has blossomed after taking a bit longer to hit his stride than some expected after he went No. 2 in the 2022 draft. He has taken on a heavy workload, and that has only amplified how good he can be in the Devils’ own end as well as jumping into the rush.
What has gone wrong? The Devils just wanted to have a pleasant team dinner in Chicago — and instead, the night ended with Hughes requiring surgery on his finger after a freak accident at the restaurant. Having Hughes healthy is (almost) all New Jersey needs to be a Stanley Cup contender, and now that he’s out for multiple weeks (along with Cody Glass and Brett Pesce) the Devils will be dipping into their depth to cover.
Speaking of depth, it’s a good thing Allen has been so hot to start the season because Jacob Markstrom has not. With Hughes out now, it’s even more imperative that New Jersey finds ways to keep scoring and not expose Allen to an onslaught that wears him down.
Grade: A-
Preseason over/under: 80.5
Current points pace: 88.8
What has gone right? The Bruins were supposed to be Atlantic Division basement dwellers. But — plot twist — they’ve actually been one of its top contenders. Full credit to first-year head coach Marco Sturm for implementing a defense-first structure that Boston has embraced enough to mitigate some of the sting from top center Elias Lindholm sitting out most of the season to date because of a lower-body injury.
Defenseman Nikita Zadorov has been particularly strong, bringing a bruising presence to the Bruins’ blue line. Boston has also benefitted from Jeremy Swayman’s return to form this season, and the team is top 10 on both the power play and penalty kill. The Bruins weren’t expected to be a powerhouse up front, but David Pastrnak has been his usual dynamic self and Morgan Geekie is a budding offensive star.
What has gone wrong? Injuries are adding up. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy is out indefinitely after taking a puck to the face, and all of Casey Mittelstadt, Viktor Arvidsson and Jordan Harris also have been sidelined of late. The Bruins have overachieved out of the gate, but it doesn’t feel sustainable if skaters such as Lindholm and McAvoy are sitting out extended time and the rest of the league gets healthy enough to catch up.
Even with Sturm’s messaging and Swayman’s solid play, the Bruins are still bottom 10 in goals against, and that’s not an encouraging stat now that McAvoy won’t be around to anchor the back end. The Bruins need consistency, and could struggle to find it.
Grade: B+
Preseason over/under: 67.5
Current points pace: 89.5
What has gone right? Think about the issues the Blackhawks faced last season. Many of them have become the bedrock for a team that’s in the running for the NHL’s biggest surprise through the first quarter of the regular season.
The questions about Connor Bedard have been replaced with another set of questions: Will he make Canada’s Olympic team while also possibly winning a scoring title? Bedard is on pace for 116 points and if that holds, it’ll be the highest-scoring season of any Blackhawks player not named Denis Savard. Plus, any of the concerns about their veterans’ struggles from last season have been erased by what they’re doing this season.
Though Bedard is generating a lot of attention, the goaltending could signify just how much has changed with the Blackhawks from last season. They finished with a team save percentage of .894 in 2024-25 but have begun this season with a .911 mark through the first 22 games, tied for fourth in the NHL. Spencer Knight is presenting his case for why he could be under Olympic consideration for Team USA.
What has gone wrong? Finding cohesion within their defensive structure remains a bit of an issue. Make no mistake, the Blackhawks were expected to encounter some challenges on the defensive end due in part to being what Elite Prospects lists as the third-youngest team in the NHL this season. Their top-four defensemen, in terms of minutes played, are younger than 24, and two of them are rookies.
Having that much youth along with the Blackhawks’ structure has played a role in why they are in the bottom four of scoring chances allowed per 60, high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 and shots allowed per 60 in 5-on-5 play through their first 22 games.
Grade: B+
Preseason over/under: 90.5
Current points pace: 97.6
What has gone right? Montreal didn’t think rookie goalie Jakub Dobes would be a backbone to their early-season success, but the rising star became exactly that by outperforming starter Sam Montembeault as one of the league’s breakout netminders.
