Archive · as published October 1, 2026
NHL Power RankingsOctober 1, 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 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | +1.95 | 50.0 |
| 2 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.68 | 48.9 |
| 3 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +1.31 | 47.4 |
| 4 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +1.15 | 46.7 |
| 5 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +1.15 | 46.7 |
| 6 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +1.07 | 46.4 |
| 7 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +0.90 | 45.7 |
| 8 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +0.88 | 45.6 |
| 9 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.83 | 45.4 |
| 10 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | +0.76 | 45.1 |
| 11 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.44 | 43.8 |
| 12 |  Utah MammothUTA | +0.34 | 43.4 |
| 13 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.22 | 42.9 |
| 14 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | +0.22 | 42.9 |
| 15 |  San Jose SharksSJS | +0.12 | 42.5 |
| 16 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.05 | 42.2 |
| 17 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | -0.03 | 41.9 |
| 18 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | -0.07 | 41.7 |
| 19 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -0.17 | 41.3 |
| 20 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.27 | 40.9 |
| 21 |  Boston BruinsBOS | -0.34 | 40.6 |
| 22 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.37 | 40.5 |
| 23 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.68 | 39.2 |
| 24 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.71 | 39.1 |
| 25 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.81 | 38.7 |
| 26 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.83 | 38.6 |
| 27 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -0.93 | 38.2 |
| 28 |  New York RangersNYR | -0.95 | 38.1 |
| 29 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -1.34 | 36.5 |
| 30 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -1.66 | 35.2 |
| 31 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.80 | 34.6 |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -2.10 | 33.4 |
The top five that week
- Colorado Avalanche top the board at +1.95 with a projection of 50.0 wins. The gap to Carolina Hurricanes is 0.27 rating points, close to a coin flip between the two.
- Carolina Hurricanes sit second at +1.68 with a projection of 48.9 wins.
- Florida Panthers sit third at +1.31 with a projection of 47.4 wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning sit fourth at +1.15 with a projection of 46.7 wins.
- Vegas Golden Knights sit fifth at +1.15 with a projection of 46.7 wins.