Archive · as published October 9, 2026
NHL Power RankingsOctober 9, 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 | +1.80 | 50.3 |
| 2 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.64 | 49.8 |
| 3 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +1.25 | 47.7 |
| 4 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +1.20 | 46.7 |
| 5 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +1.17 | 47.5 |
| 6 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +0.80 | 46.4 |
| 7 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.79 | 45.5 |
| 8 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +0.76 | 45.8 |
| 9 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +0.62 | 45.1 |
| 10 |  Utah MammothUTA | +0.52 | 44.3 |
| 11 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.46 | 43.6 |
| 12 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.27 | 43.8 |
| 13 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.27 | 43.1 |
| 14 |  San Jose SharksSJS | +0.25 | 42.8 |
| 15 |  New York RangersNYR | +0.11 | 40.5 |
| 16 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | -0.06 | 43.0 |
| 17 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | -0.09 | 42.3 |
| 18 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.16 | 41.2 |
| 19 |  Boston BruinsBOS | -0.23 | 40.7 |
| 20 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -0.27 | 39.7 |
| 21 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.29 | 39.8 |
| 22 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | -0.31 | 40.8 |
| 23 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.34 | 40.7 |
| 24 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | -0.37 | 40.9 |
| 25 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.50 | 39.2 |
| 26 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.74 | 38.6 |
| 27 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.85 | 38.3 |
| 28 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -0.87 | 37.0 |
| 29 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -0.87 | 39.0 |
| 30 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.79 | 33.5 |
| 31 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -1.88 | 32.8 |
| 32 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -2.01 | 33.6 |
The top five that week
- Colorado Avalanche top the board at +1.80, 2-1 with a +2.7 goals per game margin, and a projection of 50.3 wins. The gap to Carolina Hurricanes is 0.17 rating points, close to a coin flip between the two.
- Carolina Hurricanes sit second at +1.64, 3-1 with a +1.3 goals per game margin, and a projection of 49.8 wins.
- Vegas Golden Knights sit third at +1.25, 3-1 with a +1.3 goals per game margin, and a projection of 47.7 wins.
- Edmonton Oilers sit fourth at +1.20, 3-0 with a +2.3 goals per game margin, and a projection of 46.7 wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning sit fifth at +1.17, 3-1 with a +0.5 goals per game margin, and a projection of 47.5 wins.