NHL Power Rankings Set the Stage for 2026-27 Stanley Cup Race

The NHL regular season is less than a week away, and The Hockey News‘ first power rankings of 2026-27 put the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes at the top of a deep group of contenders. Carolina holds the No. 1 position after finishing 53-22-7 with a league-best plus-113 goal differential last season and ultimately winning the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes are followed by the Vegas Golden Knights and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.

Season Approaches

The 2026-27 NHL season begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, with an ESPN tripleheader highlighted by Carolina raising its championship banner before hosting Florida. This season also expands from 82 to 84 games per team.

Hurricanes Begin Season at No. 1

Vegas and Colorado Round Out Top Three

Vegas enters at No. 2 after reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season. The Golden Knights finished 39-26-17 and now begin the Ryan Craig era with the rookie NHL head coach facing championship-level expectations. Colorado follows at No. 3 after going 55-16-11 and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. The Avalanche reached the Western Conference Final before their postseason run ended against Vegas.

Other Teams to Watch

Montreal may be one of the more interesting teams in the rankings. The Canadiens sit fourth after a 48-win season and added veteran Chris Kreider to a young roster that appears positioned to take another step. Minnesota rounds out the top five, while Dallas, Florida and Tampa Bay give the top eight several teams with established playoff experience.

Top 12 NHL Power Rankings

Stanley Cup Odds Show Some Major Differences

Below are The Hockey News‘ top 12 teams, along with recent BetMGM Stanley Cup odds. The rankings and betting market don’t always agree, particularly on Buffalo and Utah.

• 1. Carolina Hurricanes — +800
• 2. Vegas Golden Knights — +850
• 3. Colorado Avalanche — +750
• 4. Montreal Canadiens — +2000
• 5. Minnesota Wild — +1400
• 6. Dallas Stars — +1700
• 7. Florida Panthers — +650
• 8. Tampa Bay Lightning — +1200
• 9. Buffalo Sabres — +3500
• 10. Edmonton Oilers — +900
• 11. Utah Mammoth — +3300
• 12. Washington Capitals — +1700

Buffalo’s No. 9 ranking stands out after a 50-win season, although The Hockey News notes that the young Sabres still have limited postseason experience. Edmonton sits one spot lower despite having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with questions surrounding depth, defense and goaltending.

Stanley Cup Betting Outlook

Florida Joins Carolina Among Betting Favorites

The power rankings differ considerably from sportsbook futures. At BetMGM, Florida is the Stanley Cup favorite at +650 despite ranking seventh in The Hockey News list. Colorado follows at +750, with Carolina +800, Vegas +850 and Edmonton +900. DraftKings has been more bullish on the defending champions. Its recent futures board listed Carolina and Florida at +650, followed by Colorado at +700, Edmonton at +800 and Vegas at +850. Tampa Bay (+1200), Minnesota (+1300) and Dallas (+1400) rounded out the next group.

Power Rankings vs. betting Odds

That contrast illustrates the difference between a preseason power ranking and a futures market. Carolina begins atop The Hockey News rankings, but Florida’s healthy returning core and offseason additions have pushed the Panthers to the front of several sportsbook markets. With opening night set for Sept. 29, those preseason projections will soon give way to actual results as the NHL begins its expanded 84-game season.