The 2026-2026 season is through the first eight weeks. The campaign’s infancy stages see team power rankings change from week to week. After eight weeks, the Colorado Avalanche continues to be the league’s most dominant team. The Dallas Stars have increased their production with the Carolina Hurricanes playing as well as any NHL team. The three teams showing the most struggles are the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Nashville Predators. As the season enters Week 9, here are the current NHL team power rankings.

32. Nashville Predators

Nashville continues to have a rough go around. The team has won more home games, but goaltending has been a major concern. The Predators rank 32nd in goals against per game.

31. Calgary Flames

Calgary isn’t winning games, and they’re being outscored by opponents. The team is .500 at home and 5-10-2 on the road. The Flames rank 18th in goals against per game and 32nd in goals scored per game.

30. Vancouver CanucksNov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) is chased down by Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24) along the boards during the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Canucks are one of the head-scratching teams that have fared better on the road (7-6-2) than at home (3-7-1). The team’s goaltending, ranked 31st, has been one of the league’s worst units. As with many teams, poor goaltending will cause issues adding points to the standings.

29. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo is 5-5 in its last 10 games but continues to struggle on the road. They rank 27th in goals against per game. An uptick in offensive production can help the team in the long run.

28. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis’ dismal start to the season continues. The Blues’ goaltenders are having issues, and the team cannot put the puck into the back of the net. It’s time for the front office to sell off valuable pieces and build for the future.

27. Toronto Maple Leafs

The season is another week in, and it is the same story for Toronto. The team can score with the league’s best, but cannot stop opponents from lighting the lamp. Toronto ranks 6th in goals scored per game but 29th in goals against per game.

26. Florida PanthersJun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Panthers aren’t where they’d like to be, but they are keeping themselves in each game. It’s only a matter of time before they find their stride. Tightening road performances will help get them on the right track.

25. Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg is treading water while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck misses time. No team wants to struggle deep into the season, and the Jets are trying to figure it out in Hellebuyck’s absence. On the season, Winnipeg ranks 11th in goals scored per game and 14th in goals against per game.

24. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton is another team with elite offensive production that struggles with goaltending production. It continues to be the same story year in and year out. The Oilers rank 13th in goals scored per game but 30th in goals against per game.

23. San Jose Sharks

San Jose’s road performances are hindering the team. They’re dropping valuable points on away ice. The team needs to increase its offensive production as they rank 25th in goals scored per game while rostering the league’s 3rd–ranked point producer in Macklin Celebrini.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus has played better than its power ranking suggests. This can be attributed to playing in the competitive Metropolitan Division. However, the Blue Jackets rank near the bottom in goals scored per game and goals against per game.

21. Utah MammothOct 11, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal after the game winning goal against the Nashville Predators during the overtime period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Utah continues to be competitive with an even goal differential. As they pick up points on the road, the Mammoth will start their ascension in the standings. Utah is a playoff team.

20. Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago continues to surprise early into the season. They’re winning games at home and on the road while rostering the league’s 2nd–ranked point producer in Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks rebuilding is coming into focus.

19. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit is a tough matchup even on their current four-game losing streak. The Red Wings need increased production in goal scoring, defense, and goaltending. It’s still early enough for adjustments to be made.

18. Seattle Kraken

Seattle’s played well, and its goaltending has been tough against opposing teams. The Kraken’s issue is scoring goals. The team ranks 31st in goals scored per game.

17. Ottawa Senators

Brady Tkachuk is back and ready to give the Senators a boost in production. The team ranks 10th in goals scored per game, but goaltending has been an issue. On the season, the Senators rank 23rd in goals allowed per game.

16. New York RangersOct 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

New York must find a way to win at home. The Rangers are 2-8-1 at home compared to 11-4-1 on the road. Winning at home will solve early-season deficiencies.

15. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal continues to be one of the league’s better teams. However, the team has struggled over its last 10 games (4-5-1). This can be attributed to the Canadiens ranking 28th in goaltending.

14. New York Islanders

The Islanders are performing better than expected. However, they struggle to win on home ice. On the season, New York ranks 21st in goals scored per game and 11th in goals against per game.

13. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh continues to be one of the league’s steadiest teams. This is to be expected from a veteran squad, and the Penguins will be in the playoff hunt throughout the season. The team’s 9th–ranked goaltending squad continues to keep them in games.

12. Boston Bruins

Boston’s performed well, given its middle-of-the-pack rankings in goals scored per game and goals against per game. However, any team that rosters David Pastrnak will always have a chance to succeed. The glaring question is whether they can continue to produce given a negative goal differential.

11. Vegas Golden KnightsOct 18, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) congratulates goaltender Adin Hill (33) after the Golden Knights defeated the Calgary Flames 6-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Vegas is right where it needs to be. The team wins at home and on the road. However, the Golden Knights continue to see games go past regulation.

10. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are ranked high but need to find a way to win at home. The Kings are 3-4-3 at home compared to 9-2-4 on the road. The team may drop in the power rankings if they do not improve their home ice performance.

9. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia’s 9th–ranked goaltending has been the story of its season. Defense and goaltending have given the team a boost to start the season. Increased offensive production can keep this team moving in the right direction.

8. Anaheim Ducks

The team’s ability to light the lamp has them leading the Pacific Division. On the season, Anaheim ranks 2nd in goals scored per game. The Ducks’ one downfall is a 23rd–ranked goaltending unit.

7. Washington CapitalsNov 6, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Capitals are 7-2-1 over their last 10 games. The team is getting production in goal scoring and goaltending. Washington has caught fire at the right time.

6. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota is another team playing well over its last 10 games (8-0-2). The team’s goaltending unit has been one of the league’s best. On the season, Minnesota ranks 8th in goals against per game.

5. New Jersey Devils

New Jersey has been nearly unbeatable on home ice (9-1-1). The team ranks top 10 in goals scored per game and goals against per game. They are a team to watch as the season progresses.

4. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are one of the league’s top teams and rightfully so. They rank 3rd in goals scored per game and 12th in goals against per game. The Metropolitan Division is one of the NHL’s best through eight weeks.

3. Tampa Bay LightningOct 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

Tampa Bay is one of the hottest teams in the NHL and are winning at home and on the road. The team ranks 7th in goals scored per game and are tied for 2nd in goals allowed per game. The Lightning are the top team in the Atlantic Division.

2. Dallas Stars

Dallas is 2nd in the Central Division, with Colorado four points ahead in the standings. The team ranks 5th in goals scored per game and 7th in goals against per game. The Stars will battle the Avalanche for the division lead throughout the season.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Through eight weeks, the Colorado Avalanche are the darlings of the NHL. They are winning at home and on the road. The team ranks 1st in goals scored per game, 1st in goals against per game, and roster the league’s top point producer in center Nathan MacKinnon.

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