Archive · as published October 2, 2026
NHL Power RankingsOctober 2, 2026
The season projection blended with results so far, weighted by games played. Early on the roster projection dominates; by mid-season the record carries most of the weight.
| # | Team | Rating | Proj W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | +1.94 | 50.0 |
| 2 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.70 | 49.0 |
| 3 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +1.14 | 46.7 |
| 4 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +1.07 | 46.4 |
| 5 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +1.02 | 46.6 |
| 6 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +0.99 | 46.1 |
| 7 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +0.97 | 46.0 |
| 8 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.83 | 45.4 |
| 9 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +0.82 | 45.8 |
| 10 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | +0.80 | 45.3 |
| 11 |  Utah MammothUTA | +0.46 | 43.7 |
| 12 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | +0.38 | 43.5 |
| 13 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.23 | 43.2 |
| 14 |  San Jose SharksSJS | +0.22 | 42.8 |
| 15 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.22 | 42.9 |
| 16 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.05 | 42.2 |
| 17 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | -0.02 | 41.9 |
| 18 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.09 | 41.4 |
| 19 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | -0.10 | 41.6 |
| 20 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.32 | 40.7 |
| 21 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -0.34 | 40.7 |
| 22 |  Boston BruinsBOS | -0.34 | 40.6 |
| 23 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.65 | 39.3 |
| 24 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.68 | 39.2 |
| 25 |  New York RangersNYR | -0.73 | 38.6 |
| 26 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.78 | 38.8 |
| 27 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -0.87 | 38.4 |
| 28 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.94 | 38.1 |
| 29 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -1.07 | 37.1 |
| 30 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -1.74 | 34.7 |
| 31 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.84 | 34.3 |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -2.14 | 32.9 |
The top five that week
- Colorado Avalanche top the board at +1.94 with a projection of 50.0 wins. The gap to Carolina Hurricanes is 0.24 rating points, close to a coin flip between the two.
- Carolina Hurricanes sit second at +1.70 with a projection of 49.0 wins.
- Vegas Golden Knights sit third at +1.14 with a projection of 46.7 wins.
- Dallas Stars sit fourth at +1.07 with a projection of 46.4 wins.
- Florida Panthers sit fifth at +1.02, 0-1 with a -1.0 goals per game margin, and a projection of 46.6 wins.