2025-26 season · through Week 1
NHL power rankings, week 2
All 32 teams, ranked by how good each is once the luck is adjusted for: the goals a game it would beat an average team by on neutral ice. The Hurricanes are No. 1 at +0.70 goals, the Panthers No. 2 (+0.56), the Oilers No. 3 (+0.54).
Biggest climb since last week: the Bruins, up 10 to No. 11. Biggest drop: the Lightning, down 10 to No. 17. The same ratings make our predictions.
| # | Team | Record | Pts | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Hurricanes | 2–0–0 | 4 | +0.70 |
| 2 |  Panthers | 3–0–0 | 6 | +0.56 |
| 3 |  Oilers | 1–0–1 | 3 | +0.54 |
| 4 |  Capitals | 2–1–0 | 4 | +0.41 |
| 5 |  Avalanche | 2–0–1 | 5 | +0.35 |
| 6 |  Stars | 2–0–0 | 4 | +0.32 |
| 7 |  Golden Knights | 1–0–2 | 4 | +0.27 |
| 8 |  Red Wings | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.14 |
| 9 |  Jets | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.14 |
| 10 |  Kings | 1–2–0 | 2 | +0.13 |
| 11 |  Bruins | 3–0–0 | 6 | +0.11 |
| 12 |  Devils | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.11 |
| 13 |  Mammoth | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.08 |
| 14 |  Senators | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.04 |
| 15 |  Blues | 1–1–0 | 2 | +0.03 |
| 16 |  Predators | 1–0–1 | 3 | +0.02 |
| 17 |  Lightning | 0–2–0 | 0 | +0.01 |
| 18 |  Maple Leafs | 1–1–0 | 2 | −0.04 |
| 19 |  Rangers | 2–2–0 | 4 | −0.04 |
| 20 |  Wild | 1–1–0 | 2 | −0.06 |
| 21 |  Penguins | 2–1–0 | 4 | −0.09 |
| 22 |  Kraken | 2–0–0 | 4 | −0.09 |
| 23 |  Canadiens | 2–1–0 | 4 | −0.10 |
| 24 |  Blue Jackets | 1–1–0 | 2 | −0.17 |
| 25 |  Flames | 1–2–0 | 2 | −0.24 |
| 26 |  Flyers | 0–1–1 | 1 | −0.24 |
| 27 |  Canucks | 1–1–0 | 2 | −0.24 |
| 28 |  Islanders | 0–2–0 | 0 | −0.25 |
| 29 |  Ducks | 1–1–0 | 2 | −0.31 |
| 30 |  Sabres | 0–2–0 | 0 | −0.40 |
| 31 |  Sharks | 0–0–2 | 2 | −0.81 |
| 32 |  Blackhawks | 0–2–1 | 1 | −0.87 |
Rating: goals a game better than an average team on neutral ice. This season and last season add up to it: this season’s goal and expected-goal margins, rated against the opponents played, and the start from last season’s final rating. Luck: points above what the team’s play was worth, every game replayed 4,000 times. Goalie starts and injuries are left out.
Questions
Who is No. 1 in the NHL power rankings for week 2 of 2025-26?
The Carolina Hurricanes, rated +0.70 goals a game better than an average team on neutral ice, from a 2–0–0 record. Next: the Panthers (+0.56) and the Oilers (+0.54).
How are these power rankings made?
From this season’s goal margins (capped at four goals) and expected-goal margins, each rated against the opponents played, and last season’s rating, which fades as games are played. Expected goals carry most of the weight because they say more about the games ahead than goals do. The rating is the goals a game a team would beat an average team by on neutral ice; the same ratings make our predictions.
Why is a team with more points ranked lower?
Because points carry luck: shooting and save percentages that won’t last, and overtimes and shootouts that are close to coin flips. A team is rated on how it played.
Other seasons: 2026-27 week 1
Predictions · Luck rankings 2025-26 · Standings adjusted for luck · How the replays work