The 2026-2026 season is through the seven weeks of the season. Colorado is off to a commanding start, and Carolina is the second-best-performing team in the National Hockey League. Here are the NHL team power rankings heading into week eight.
32. Nashville Predators
It’s been a rough start for Nashville. The team’s downfall is scoring. The Predators are ranked 32nd in goals scored per game.
31. Calgary Flames
Nov 23, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley (1) congratulates goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) after the win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
Calgary moves up one spot from last week. The Flames are another team having issues lighting the lamp. They rank 31st in goals scored per game.
30. St. Louis Blues
St. Louis continues its rough start. The team has issues scoring and stopping opposing teams. On the season, St. Louis ranks 28th in goals scored per game and 30th in goals allowed per game.
29. Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver’s early struggles come down to goaltending. The Canucks are in the middle of the pack in scoring but rank 32nd in goals allowed per game. The season will continue to drag until they receive better production from their goaltenders.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs
May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward Mitch Marner (16) take to the ice for warm up before game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Goaltending wins games and championships, and Toronto’s glaring issue is its goaltenders. The team ranks 5th in goals scored per game, but 31st in goals allowed per game. The front office must fix this issue as soon as possible.
27. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo’s playing better, but struggle on the road (1-5-2). They’re scoring goals, but goaltending is a problem. The season is still in its infancy stage, but the team has glaring holes.
26. New York Rangers
New York’s mind-blowing season continues. The Rangers are 9-4-1 on the road, but 1-7-1 at home. The team must find a way to score more goals and win at home.
25. Florida Panthers
Jun 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
Florida is four points behind the Atlantic Division leaders, and it’s only a matter of time before the team hits their stride. The Panthers rank in the middle of the league in goals scored and goals against per game. The good news is that Matthew Tkachuk is getting closer to his return.
24. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago has played well, receiving equal production at home and on the road. Connor Bedard is leading the league’s 13th–ranked offense and ranks 4th among NHL points leaders. The Blackhawks rank 8th in goals against per game.
23. Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg is searching for its stride. It’s only a matter of time before they break out. The Jets rank 12th in goals scored per game and 12th in goals against per game.
22. Washington Capitals
Washington’s been on the wrong side of close games. However, the momentum is due to change. The Capitals rank 7th in goals scored per game and 6th in goals against per game.
21. Edmonton Oilers
The story continues for the Oilers. A top-ranked offense, but putrid goaltending. Edmonton must find a way to enhance their goaltending performances.
20. San Jose Sharks
San Jose is off to a hot start, and center Macklin Celebrini is ranked 2nd among NHL points leaders. However, the issue is finding offensive production outside of Celebrini. The Sharks rank 22nd in goals scored per game.
19. Montreal Canadiens
Nov 22, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (53) celebrates the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Canadiens have slid over their last 10 games (3-4-3). The team ranks 4th in goals scored per game, but the opposite can be said about their goaltending. Montreal ranks 28th in goals allowed per game.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus continues its upward trend. On the season, Columbus ranks 21st in goals scored per game and 22nd in goals against per game. It will take an awful lot to reach the playoffs.
17. Utah Mammoth
Utah has taken a slight step back. They’re not scoring as many goals as they did during the first month of the season. An uptick in scoring can get them back on track.
16. Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia has received hot play from its goaltenders. The opposite can be said offensively. The team ranks 26th in goals scored per game.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has hit a rough patch. They are 3-4-3 over the last 10 games. A bright spot is the team’s 3rd–ranked goaltending unit.
14. Los Angeles Kings
Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles is another team struggling at home (1-4-3) but winning on the road (9-2-3). The Kings have issues scoring. The team ranks 5th in goals against per game.
13. Boston Bruins
Boston continues its ascent, winning six of its last ten games. David Pastrnak, ranked 5th in points, leads the team offensively. The team needs its goaltenders to increase their production.
12. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa has played well of late. The team’s offense ranks 6th in goals scored per game. The team’s downfall continues to be goaltending.
11. 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
Tampa Bay is the NHL’s hottest team over its last 10 games. Much is attributed to the team’s 11th–ranked scoring. Once the team’s goaltending increases production, watch out.
10. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit is holding onto its small lead in the Atlantic Conference. However, the lead may not last long. The Red Wings rank towards the bottom in goals scored per game and goals against per game.
9. New Jersey Devils
What are the Devils doing right? They are winning at home. The team is 7-0-1 defending their home ice.
8. Vegas Golden Knights
Oct 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 playing well but is searching for consistency. Offensively, the team ranks 8th in goals scored per game. The team’s goaltenders rank 12th in goals against per game.
7. Seattle Kraken
Seattle’s goaltenders have played well. They rank 2nd in goals against per game. The team must increase its offensive production.
6. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota continues to win at home. They may not be ranked as high offensively, but they’re getting the job done. The team’s goaltending ranks 9th in goals against per game.
5. New York Islanders
New York has been better on the road, but they’re winning games. The team ranks 9th in goals against per game and this has been the reason for their success. They are a team poised to reach the playoffs.
4. Anaheim Ducks
Nov 22, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) tends the net during the third period in the game against Vegas Golden Knights at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Anaheim continues to outscore opponents and lead the Pacific Division. A surprise has been the team’s 2nd–ranked offense. If they can improve their goaltending, they will ride high throughout the season.
3. Dallas Stars
Dallas is tied for the 2nd–most points in the NHL. The team has received production from an offense that ranks 10th in goals scored per game. Goaltending will be the key down as the season progresses.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina continues to perform well at home and on the road. The team’s offense has been one of the league’s best and ranks 3rd in goals scored per game. They are a team to watch throughout the season.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Another week in, and Colorado is the darling of the NHL. The team leads the league in points. On the season, the Avalanche rank 1st in goals scored per game and 1st in goals allowed per game.
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