Archive · as published October 3, 2026
NHL Power RankingsOctober 3, 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 | +1.96 | 49.9 |
| 2 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.41 | 48.2 |
| 3 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +1.02 | 46.5 |
| 4 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +1.01 | 46.1 |
| 5 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +1.01 | 46.1 |
| 6 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +0.95 | 46.2 |
| 7 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.92 | 45.7 |
| 8 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +0.89 | 46.0 |
| 9 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | +0.82 | 45.3 |
| 10 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +0.79 | 45.6 |
| 11 |  Utah MammothUTA | +0.47 | 43.7 |
| 12 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | +0.39 | 43.5 |
| 13 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.30 | 43.1 |
| 14 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.26 | 43.3 |
| 15 |  San Jose SharksSJS | +0.25 | 42.9 |
| 16 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.12 | 42.5 |
| 17 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | 0.00 | 42.0 |
| 18 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | -0.05 | 41.8 |
| 19 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.09 | 41.4 |
| 20 |  Boston BruinsBOS | -0.15 | 41.2 |
| 21 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -0.32 | 40.8 |
| 22 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.32 | 40.7 |
| 23 |  New York RangersNYR | -0.52 | 39.2 |
| 24 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.55 | 39.4 |
| 25 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.64 | 39.4 |
| 26 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.91 | 38.3 |
| 27 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.94 | 38.2 |
| 28 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -1.06 | 37.2 |
| 29 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -1.07 | 37.6 |
| 30 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -1.78 | 34.7 |
| 31 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.88 | 34.3 |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -2.11 | 33.2 |
The top five that week
- Colorado Avalanche top the board at +1.96 with a projection of 49.9 wins. The gap to Carolina Hurricanes is 0.55 rating points, a clear number one.
- Carolina Hurricanes sit second at +1.41, 0-1 with a -3.0 goals per game margin, and a projection of 48.2 wins.
- Florida Panthers sit third at +1.02, 0-1 with a -1.0 goals per game margin, and a projection of 46.5 wins.
- Edmonton Oilers sit fourth at +1.01, 1-0 with a +2.0 goals per game margin, and a projection of 46.1 wins.
- Minnesota Wild sit fifth at +1.01, 1-0 with a +2.0 goals per game margin, and a projection of 46.1 wins.