The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are on the horizon, and the race for hockey's ultimate prize is heating up. According to SportsLine NHL analyst Scott Erskine's final power rankings, the Colorado Avalanche have secured the top spot, entering the postseason as the team to beat.

The Avalanche captured the Presidents' Trophy as the league's best regular-season team, a feat they last achieved during their 2022 Stanley Cup run. While their historic pace from the first half of the season was unsustainable, they finished strong, earning points in four straight games to close the campaign. With 117 points and two favorable matchups remaining, they have a chance to break their own franchise record before embarking on their playoff journey as the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.

Their dominance is even more impressive considering they shut down three opponents last week while superstar Nathan MacKinnon was held scoreless in his final two games—a testament to their incredible depth and defensive structure.

They are joined at the top by the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes, who also posted a 3-0-1 record in the final week. The Dallas Stars were the week's hottest team, winning all four of their contests to build formidable momentum.

On the other end of the spectrum, the final week was unkind to some notable franchises. The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered an 0-4-0 skid, while the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks also failed to secure a win, highlighting the fine margins as the regular season concluded.

As the intensity shifts from the marathon of the regular season to the sprint of the playoffs, these final power ratings set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling battle for the Cup. The Avalanche have established themselves as the frontrunner, but in the playoffs, every shift counts.