Archive · as published October 16, 2026
NHL Power RankingsOctober 16, 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 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | +1.87 | 51.2 |
| 2 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | +1.36 | 48.8 |
| 3 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | +1.25 | 49.7 |
| 4 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | +1.23 | 47.1 |
| 5 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +1.11 | 48.1 |
| 6 |  Utah MammothUTA | +1.05 | 46.5 |
| 7 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +0.75 | 45.8 |
| 8 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | +0.68 | 44.6 |
| 9 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +0.55 | 45.1 |
| 10 |  Anaheim DucksANA | +0.44 | 43.6 |
| 11 |  Florida PanthersFLA | +0.42 | 45.6 |
| 12 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +0.41 | 45.0 |
| 13 |  Boston BruinsBOS | +0.33 | 42.4 |
| 14 |  New York RangersNYR | +0.32 | 40.8 |
| 15 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | +0.32 | 43.7 |
| 16 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +0.09 | 43.4 |
| 17 |  Montréal CanadiensMTL | -0.04 | 43.2 |
| 18 |  San Jose SharksSJS | -0.09 | 41.5 |
| 19 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | -0.10 | 38.8 |
| 20 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | -0.28 | 39.4 |
| 21 |  New York IslandersNYI | -0.33 | 39.3 |
| 22 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | -0.33 | 40.9 |
| 23 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | -0.37 | 39.5 |
| 24 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | -0.40 | 40.7 |
| 25 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | -0.45 | 39.9 |
| 26 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | -0.76 | 39.8 |
| 27 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | -0.90 | 37.6 |
| 28 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | -0.93 | 37.3 |
| 29 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | -1.30 | 34.1 |
| 30 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | -1.63 | 35.7 |
| 31 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | -1.84 | 33.9 |
| 32 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | -2.03 | 31.3 |
The top five that week
- Carolina Hurricanes top the board at +1.87, 6-1 with a +1.9 goals per game margin, and a projection of 51.2 wins. The gap to Vegas Golden Knights is 0.51 rating points, a clear number one.
- Vegas Golden Knights sit second at +1.36, 6-2 with a +1.4 goals per game margin, and a projection of 48.8 wins.
- Colorado Avalanche sit third at +1.25, 3-3 with a +0.8 goals per game margin, and a projection of 49.7 wins.
- Edmonton Oilers sit fourth at +1.23, 5-1 with a +1.7 goals per game margin, and a projection of 47.1 wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning sit fifth at +1.11, 5-2 with a +0.3 goals per game margin, and a projection of 48.1 wins.