The 2026-2026 season is through the first five weeks of the campaign. The Colorado Avalanche continues to be the most dominant team in the National Hockey League. The New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, and Carolina Hurricanes are off to hot starts of their own. The biggest surprise is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are second in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division and have the best goal differential at +9. As the league heads into week six, here are the NHL team power rankings.
32. Calgary Flames
It’s been a rough start for Calgary. The Flames are the only NHL team with fewer than 16 points and own one of the league’s worst goal differentials (-19). While they’re ranked 32nd in goals scored per game, the goaltending is ranked 16th in goals allowed per game.
31. Nashville Predators
Oct 11, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Utah Mammoth during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nashville is dead last in the Central Division, with St. Louis ahead of them in goal differential. The Predators have struggled mightily, ranked 31st in goals scored per game and 28th in goals allowed per game. Until they show the ability to light the lamp, the long season will continue.
30. St. Louis Blues
Ahead of Nashville in goal differential, St. Louis has been lackluster out of the gate. The team is ranked 24th in goals scored per game and 32nd in goals allowed per game. The Blues’ goaltending must be better.
29. Buffalo Sabres
The start of Buffalo’s season has come down to two issues. They’re not scoring enough goals, and they’re allowing 8th–most goals per game. The team is young, and its youth needs to progress as the season continues.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is too talented to continue dropping points. The early-season story seems to be the same as years past: they can score goals, but goaltending is the main culprit. Toronto’s goaltenders are ranked 31st in goals allowed per game.
27. Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) gestures to his son Sergei (not pictured) after the Capitals’ game against the St. Louis Blues, where he scored his 900th NHL goal at Capital One Arena. Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Washington had an anemic start last season and is following suit this year. Unlike the teams ranked lower, Washington’s goaltenders are tied for 3rd in goals allowed per game. Washington must find ways to light the lamp, as they are ranked 23rd in goals scored per game.
26. San Jose Sharks
San Jose has seen winnable games slip away. The team is ranked 22nd in goals allowed per game and 20th in goals scored per game. Ironing out defensive deficiencies will help the team greatly, as center Macklin Celebrini is ranked 3rd among NHL points leaders.
25. Florida Panthers
The Panthers continue to weather the storm as they anxiously await the return of superstar Matthew Tkachuk. The team ranks 14th in goals allowed per game, but 27th in goals scored per game. The back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions do not want to dig themselves into a deeper hole.
24. Vancouver Canucks
As with most teams ranked near the bottom of the power rankings, the Canucks are struggling to find consistent goaltending. Vancouver’s goaltenders ranked 29th in goals allowed per game. The team’s struggles will continue until its goaltenders improve their play.
23. Tampa Bay Lightning
Oct 14, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck past Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd (26) in the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Lightning is a team that won’t see struggles carry on much longer. They are a veteran squad with a great coach who can quickly right the ship. The Lightning rank 17th in goals scored per game and 11th in goals allowed per game.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus has been on the right side of away games. They ranked 19th in goals allowed per game and 19th in goals scored per game. They’ve fared well on the road, compiling a 5-4-1 record.
21. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are a surprising team early on. Entering the season, the question was whether they could score enough. They rank 29th in goals scored per game and 10th in goals allowed per game. Philadelphia’s goaltenders continue to play well.
20. Utah Mammoth
Center Nick Schmaltz has been Utah’s best player, ranked 22nd in points. He’s aided in Utah being ranked in the top half in goals scored per game. The team can take a leap with improvement from the league’s 17th-ranked goaltending squad.
19. Edmonton Oilers
Oct 4, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. | Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Edmonton ranks 5th in the Pacific Division, rostering the league’s 2nd and 14th-ranked points leaders. The team ranks 16th in goals scored per game, but goaltending has been an issue. The Oilers’ goaltenders rank 26th in goals allowed per game.
18. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota has played well in its last ten games (6-2-2). Wingers Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy rank in the top 30 among the NHL’s points leaders. The team’s downfall is getting production outside of Kaprizov and Boldy.
17. New Jersey Islanders
New Jersey continues its hot play and leads the Metropolitan Division. The team ranks 9th in goals scored per game and 13th in goals allowed per game. Goaltender Jake Allen is ranked 3rd in the NHL with a 2.24 goals-against average.
16. Ottawa Senators
The Senators continue to play well while awaiting the return of superstar Brady Tkachuk. The team has found ways to score goals and rank 11th in goals scored per game. The team’s achilles heel is goaltending. The Senators’ goaltenders rank 27th in goals allowed per game.
15. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is one of the league’s best teams thanks to the league’s 6th–best offense. Center Nick Suzuki and winger Cole Caufield continue to lead the Canadiens. Montreal will jump in the power rankings as its goaltenders improve their performances.
14. New York Rangers
Oct 11, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) covers the puck on a first period save against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Rangers continue to see head-scratching performances. At home, the team is 1-7-1. On the road, New York is 9-1-1. If the Rangers can improve their production at home, they will become one of the league’s best teams.
13. Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas continues to search for better production at home and on the road. Center Jack Eichel is ranked 11th among points leaders and continues to be the driving force for the league’s 12th–best offense. Vegas’ goaltenders rank 11th in goals allowed per game.
12. Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg is right where they need to be early in the season. The team ranks 14th in goals scored per game and 8th in goals allowed per game. Center Mark Scheifele and winger Kyle Connor rank 11th and 20th amongst the NHL’s points leaders.
11. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago has been the best story early in the season. The team ranks 3rd in goals allowed per game and 8th in goals scored per game. Superstar Connor Bedard is off to a torrid start, ranking 19th in goals scored and 4th in points.
10. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit continues to improve each week and ranks 2nd in the Atlantic Conference. The Red Wings rank 18th in goals scored per game, but 23rd in goals allowed per game. Improvements from the team’s goaltenders will aid in the team’s continued success.
9. Seattle Kraken
Oct 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) celebrates defeating the Anaheim Ducks at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Seattle’s goaltending has been better than advertised. The team ranks 6th in goals allowed per game, and this has made a positive impact early in the season. A glaring improvement is needed in goal scoring. The Kraken rank 28th in goals scored per game.
8. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim continues to impress and is one of the brightest stories through five weeks. The Ducks rank 3rd in goals scored per game and are led by the league’s 4th–ranked points leader, Leo Carlson. The Ducks can use an improvement in the league’s 21st–ranked goaltending unit.
7. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings lead the Pacific Division in a head-scratching way. Los Angeles is 1-4-2 at home, but 9-1-2 on the road. It’s imperative to find a way to win on the road, but winning at home is nearly more important. The Kings have received steady goaltending production, ranking 7th in goals allowed per game.
6. Boston Bruins
Boston needed to find a way to counteract poor goaltending production, and the team has done just that. Winger David Pastrnak has taken matters into his own hands, leading the league’s 5th–best offense. Boston must improve its goaltending production as its netminders rank 24th in goals allowed per game.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 8, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) moves the puck ahead of Chicago Blackhawks center Teuvo Teravainen (86) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The veteran squad has performed well in a competitive Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh ranks 13th in goals scored per game and 5th in goals allowed per game. The team’s improved goaltending production has aided in its early success.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
Consistency is the key contributor to Carolina’s hot start. The team ranks 2nd in goals scored per game and 14th in goals allowed per game. The Hurricanes are a team to watch throughout the season.
3. New Jersey Devils
New Jersey continues to play well at home (7-0-1) and on the road (6-4-0). The team has found consistency in its 9th–ranked offense and 13th–ranked goaltending. Center Jack Hughes is leading the team in points.
2. Dallas Stars
The team’s 9th–ranked offense is being led by Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, and Wyatt Johnston. All three rank within the top 25 among the NHL’s points leaders. Dallas’ goaltenders rank 9th in goals allowed per game.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is the #1-ranked team in the National Hockey League. The league’s 1st–ranked offense is led by center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar. The Avalanche’s success doesn’t stop at offense, as the team is ranked 1st in goals allowed per game.
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