playESPN staffOct 16, 2026, 07:30 AM ETMultiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsA bit over two weeks into the 2026-27 NHL season, teams are approaching the 10-game point.While some teams have performed at expectation, there has been no shortage of surprises — both good and bad — on the individual and club-wide level.So as part of our latest update to the ESPN NHL Power Rankings, we’ve identified the biggest shock of the season for each team.How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday. Those ballots are combined to come up with the rankings you see below.Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published on Oct. 9. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.1. Carolina HurricanesPrevious ranking: 8 Points percentage: 81.25%While the Canes’ spot near the top of the standings (and as the No. 1 team here) isn’t too surprising, their poor injury luck is.
In just the past week, captain Jordan Staal (torn calf muscle) and Taylor Hall (upper body) were lost; Staal will miss one to two months, while Rod Brind’Amour commented that it “doesn’t look good” for Hall.Next seven days: @ WPG (Oct. 17), @ CGY (Oct. 18), @ VAN (Oct. 20), @ EDM (Oct. 22)2. Vegas Golden KnightsPrevious ranking: 3 Points percentage: 77.78%The Golden Knights continue to roll on the ice — but there are now fewer people in the stands watching. Oct. 8 was the first time the Knights didn’t sell out a home game in franchise history, breaking a nine-year streak (and coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance).Next seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 17), vs.
TB (Oct. 20), @ STL (Oct. 22)3. Edmonton OilersPrevious ranking: 6 Points percentage: 78.57%It’s no surprise that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are among the top scorers in the league. What might be shocking to some is that defenseman Evan Bouchard is right there as well, as he had 14 points through the first six games. That’s on pace for 196 at season’s end!Next seven days: @ UTA (Oct. 17), vs.
MIN (Oct. 20), vs. CAR (Oct. 22)4. Utah MammothPrevious ranking: 2 Points percentage: 75%Following a playoff appearance this past spring, the Mammoth have been a wagon to start the campaign. Led by Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and Mikhail Sergachev, the Mammoth are scoring 3.88 goals per game, more than half a goal more per contest than last season.Next seven days: vs.
EDM (Oct. 17), vs. PIT (Oct. 19), @ SEA (Oct. 22)5. New York RangersPrevious ranking: 5 Points percentage: 66.67%The Rangers’ hot start may have been surprising to some, but the season-ending injury to goaltender Igor Shesterkin is clearly a bigger shock. That’s put Dylan Garand in the spotlight, and he’s been a pleasant surprise himself (up until Thursday’s misstep against the rival Devils).Next seven days: @ CBJ (Oct. 17), vs.
ANA (Oct. 19), @ TOR (Oct. 22)6. Colorado AvalanchePrevious ranking: 1 Points percentage: 64.29%The Avs look every bit the part of a top Cup contender, as expected. What wasn’t expected? That Nathan MacKinnon would already have two fights under his belt in the season’s first two weeks.Next seven days: vs.
PIT (Oct. 16), @ PHI (Oct. 19), @ NJ (Oct. 20)7. Boston BruinsPrevious ranking: 19 Points percentage: 71.43%The Bruins are trending well ahead of their expected point total, and a big reason why is Fraser Minten. The 22-year-old is scoring at a point-per-game pace after just 35 in 82 games in 2025-26.Next seven days: @ ANA (Oct. 16), @ LA (Oct. 17), @ DAL (Oct. 20), vs. NSH (Oct. 22)8.
Minnesota WildPrevious ranking: 4 Points percentage: 68.75%Perhaps we shouldn’t be all that surprised given the chatter during the summer, but it is a bit of a shock that the Wild have begun the season with Quinn Hughes on an expiring contract. Unsurprisingly, Hughes is battling with Kirill Kaprizov for the team scoring lead — the winger currently has a slight edge on the defenseman.Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Oct. 18), @ EDM (Oct. 20)9. Tampa Bay LightningPrevious ranking: 10 Points percentage: 71.43%Andrei Vasilevskiy and the goal suppressors in Tampa continue to do their jobs; the Lightning are allowing 2.67 goals per game through six contests, about on par with last season.
The goal scoring is lagging, however: the Lightning’s 2.83 goals per contest are 21st in the NHL and a far cry from the 3.49 per game rate of last season.Next seven days: vs. VAN (Oct. 17), @ VGK (Oct. 20)10. Seattle KrakenPrevious ranking: 16 Points percentage: 68.75%Short-sample warning and all, but … are the Kraken good? A 5-2-1 record has them among the Pacific Division leaders, and a plus-9 goal differential indicates that it’s not all smoke and mirrors.Next seven days: @ FLA (Oct. 17), vs.
DET (Oct. 20), vs. UTA (Oct. 22)11. Winnipeg JetsPrevious ranking: 12 Points percentage: 71.43%If the Jets were going to contend amid the ongoing Connor Hellebuyck trade request fiasco, their stars would need to shine the brightest. Kyle Connor understood the assignment, beginning the season with a shocking seven goals through six games.Next seven days: vs.
CAR (Oct. 17), @ STL (Oct. 20), @ DAL (Oct. 22)12. Ottawa SenatorsPrevious ranking: 13 Points percentage: 75%With Brady Tkachuk in the lineup last season, the Senators were a wild-card team. Without him this season, they’re … more dangerous? Netminder Linus Ullmark posting a 1.20 goals-against average and .949 save percentage through six starts (all wins) is the type of pleasant surprise that drives success like Ottawa’s.Next seven days: @ PHI (Oct. 17), vs.
FLA (Oct. 21), vs. SJ (Oct. 22)13. Florida PanthersPrevious ranking: 7 Points percentage: 62.5%Was there something in the air on opening night in Raleigh? Just like the Hurricanes, the Panthers have been beset by a shocking string of injuries to key players, principally Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand.Next seven days: vs.
SEA (Oct. 17), @ OTT (Oct. 21), @ PIT (Oct. 22)14. Anaheim DucksPrevious ranking: 9 Points percentage: 66.67%It has been an up-and-down start for the Ducks after their impressive flight in 2025-26. But one area that has been a nice surprise is the power play: Their man-advantage unit is clicking along at 33.3% through six games, up from 18.6% last season.Next seven days: vs. BOS (Oct. 16), @ NYR (Oct. 19), @ NYI (Oct. 20), @ NJ (Oct. 22)15.
Washington CapitalsPrevious ranking: 15 Points percentage: 57.14%The Capitals’ front office did a nice job making additions this summer, including Alex Tuch. The former Sabre leads the team with five goals through seven games; that’s on pace for 60, which would shatter his career high of 36.Next seven days: vs. NJ (Oct. 17), vs. LA (Oct. 20)16.
St. Louis BluesPrevious ranking: 28 Points percentage: 50%Perhaps this will only surprise those who weren’t paying close attention to the Blues last season, but Joel Hofer has emerged not only as the Blues’ best option in the crease, but as an upper-echelon netminder leaguewide, with a 1.76 goals-against average and .920 save percentage through four starts.Next seven days: @ NSH (Oct. 17), vs. WPG (Oct. 20), vs. VGK (Oct. 22)17.
Dallas StarsPrevious ranking: 17 Points percentage: 50%After having the NHL’s second-best power play last season (28.6%), the Stars have struggled there this season, converting at a 12.5% rate through seven games.Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 17), vs. BOS (Oct. 20), vs. WPG (Oct. 22)18. Pittsburgh PenguinsPrevious ranking: 11 Points percentage: 50%Typically, Sidney Crosby gets out to quick starts: Up through last season, he scored 1.2 points per game in the first month during his career.
Through seven games, he has just four points (0.57 points per game). Something tells us he’ll turn things around soon.Next seven days: @ COL (Oct. 16), @ VGK (Oct. 17), @ UTA (Oct. 19), vs. FLA (Oct. 22)19. Toronto Maple LeafsPrevious ranking: 21 Points percentage: 50%Following a disappointing 2025-26, there was some chatter that captain Auston Matthews wanted out.
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