Archive · as published September 29, 2026
NHL Power RankingsSeptember 29, 2026
No regular-season games yet, so this is the projection alone: expected wins from the daily simulation of every roster against its schedule, with the market's win totals as a check.
| # | Team | Rating | Proj W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.86 | 49.7 |
| 2 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | +1.81 | 49.5 |
| 3 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +1.21 | 47.0 |
| 4 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +1.11 | 46.6 |
| 5 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +1.09 | 46.5 |
| 6 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +1.06 | 46.4 |
| 7 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +1.04 | 46.3 |
| 8 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +0.89 | 45.7 |
| 9 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.80 | 45.3 |
| 10 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | +0.65 | 44.7 |
| 11 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.41 | 43.7 |
| 12 |  Utah MammothUTA | +0.34 | 43.4 |
| 13 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.24 | 43.0 |
| 14 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | +0.22 | 42.9 |
| 15 |  San Jose SharksSJS | +0.14 | 42.6 |
| 16 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.05 | 42.2 |
| 17 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | +0.02 | 42.1 |
| 18 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | +0.02 | 42.1 |
| 19 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -0.05 | 41.8 |
| 20 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.29 | 40.8 |
| 21 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.43 | 40.2 |
| 22 |  Boston BruinsBOS | -0.48 | 40.0 |
| 23 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.58 | 39.6 |
| 24 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.75 | 38.9 |
| 25 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.80 | 38.7 |
| 26 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.82 | 38.6 |
| 27 |  New York RangersNYR | -0.87 | 38.4 |
| 28 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -0.94 | 38.1 |
| 29 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -1.30 | 36.6 |
| 30 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -1.69 | 35.0 |
| 31 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.69 | 35.0 |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -2.27 | 32.6 |
The top five that week
- Carolina Hurricanes top the board at +1.86 with a projection of 49.7 wins. The gap to Colorado Avalanche is 0.05 rating points, close to a coin flip between the two.
- Colorado Avalanche sit second at +1.81 with a projection of 49.5 wins.
- Florida Panthers sit third at +1.21 with a projection of 47.0 wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning sit fourth at +1.11 with a projection of 46.6 wins.
- Vegas Golden Knights sit fifth at +1.09 with a projection of 46.5 wins.