NHL Power Rankings: Every team’s current pace vs. preseason projections
The 2025-26 NHL season turned one month old on Friday.
It’s way too early to draw firm conclusions, right?
Forget it. For this edition of the Power Rankings, we’ll be taking a look at the preseason over/under point totals compared to each team’s current points pace. Which teams are the furthest off their projections — in each direction?
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, which generates our list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Oct. 31. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 75%
Preseason O/U: 103.5
Current points pace: 123
One of seven teams with a triple-digit over/under in the preseason, the Avs are currently well ahead of that projection, with just one loss in regulation through 14 games.
Next seven days: @ EDM (Nov. 8), @ VAN (Nov. 9), vs. ANA (Nov. 11), vs. BUF (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 71.4%
Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 117.1
A surprise entrant in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Habs weren’t expected to be nearly this dominant in 2025-26. And yet, here we are.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (Nov. 8), vs. LA (Nov. 11), vs. DAL (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 69.2%
Preseason O/U: 97.5
Current points pace: 113.5
The sportsbooks expected the Jets to be well off their Presidents’ Trophy-winning pace of 116 from last season, but so far they are pushing the Avs atop the Central Division.
Next seven days: @ SJ (Nov. 7), @ ANA (Nov. 9), @ VAN (Nov. 11), @ SEA (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.4%
Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 117.1
A 2025 playoff team, the Devils were expected to be back in that situation again this coming spring — and so far, they’re ahead of last season’s pace.
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Nov. 8), vs. NYI (Nov. 10), @ CHI (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 65.4%
Preseason O/U: 104.5
Current points pace: 107.2
One of the great Western powers continues to roll along, with Jack Eichel looking every bit the part of a leading Hart Trophy candidate.
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Nov. 8), vs. FLA (Nov. 10), vs. NYI (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 64.3%
Preseason O/U: 92.5
Current points pace: 105.4
Is Salt Lake City ready to host playoff hockey? The Mammoth appear to be trending in that direction, with one of the NHL’s most impressive young cores.
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 8), @ OTT (Nov. 9), vs. BUF (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 69.2%
Preseason O/U: 105.5
Current points pace: 113.5
Finishing a season in triple digits in standings points is nothing new for the Canes, and they are on track to pull off the feat again by the end of this season.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 8), @ TOR (Nov. 9), vs. WSH (Nov. 11)
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 73.1%
Preseason O/U: 83.5
Current points pace: 119.8
An article from the season’s first week pondered whether the Ducks had built the next great Western power. Through the season’s first month, the answer is a resounding “yes!”
Next seven days: @ VGK (Nov. 8), vs. WPG (Nov. 9), @ COL (Nov. 11), @ DET (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 64.3%
Preseason O/U: 84.5
Current points pace: 105.4
Is the “Yzerplan” finally coming to fruition, returning the Red Wings to their rightful place in the postseason?
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Nov. 7), vs. CHI (Nov. 9), vs. ANA (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 66.7%
Preseason O/U: 77.5
Current points pace: 109.3
Much of the Penguins-oriented chatter this preseason revolved around whether Sidney Crosby would be traded to a contender. Well, apparently he’s already on a contender.
Next seven days: @ NJ (Nov. 8), vs. LA (Nov. 9)
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 60.7%
Preseason O/U: 103.5
Current points pace: 99.6
The prognosticators expected an elite performance out of the Stars, and they’re getting near a 100-point pace so far. The big question is for the spring: Can this team finally get over the conference finals hump?
Next seven days: @ NSH (Nov. 8), vs. SEA (Nov. 9), @ OTT (Nov. 11), @ MTL (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 60.7%
Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 99.6
Hey, sometimes the sportsbooks nail their projections! The question now is where that points pace gets the Leafs in the postseason mix.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 8), vs. CAR (Nov. 9), @ BOS (Nov. 11), vs. LA (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 53.6%
Preseason O/U: 96.5
Current points pace: 87.9
Much like the Jets, the Capitals were expected to take a step back — and as of now, they certainly have.
Next seven days: @ TB (Nov. 8), @ CAR (Nov. 11), @ FLA (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 61.5%
Preseason O/U: 78.5
Current points pace: 100.9
Aside from one playoff appearance (2023), the Kraken had been treading water — a stark contrast to the fearsome sea beast that serves as their moniker. New coach Lane Lambert seems to have gotten them pointed back in the right direction.
Next seven days: @ STL (Nov. 8), @ DAL (Nov. 9), vs. CBJ (Nov. 11), vs. WPG (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 60.7%
Preseason O/U: 83.5
Current points pace: 99.6
After a simmering build the past two seasons, have the Flyers arrived as legitimate playoff contenders in Year 1 of the Rick Tocchet era?
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Nov. 8), vs. EDM (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 53.3%
Preseason O/U: 98.5
Current points pace: 87.5
The final season of legendary Kings center Anze Kopitar‘s career hasn’t gotten off to the start many expected.
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 9), @ MTL (Nov. 11), @ TOR (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 57.1%
Preseason O/U: 101.5
Current points pace: 93.7
Just one win in the first seven games put the Lightning in a pretty deep hole; a subsequent five-game winning streak helped them dig out. Which is the real version of this team?
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 8), vs. NYR (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 53.3%
Preseason O/U: 103.5
Current points pace: 87.5
Throughout the summer and most of the preseason, many surmised that a lingering lack of a contract beyond 2025-26 for Connor McDavid would be a distraction hanging over the Oilers this season. McDavid inked his extension on the eve of the campaign, and yet the Oilers have sputtered out of the gates.
Next seven days: vs. COL (Nov. 8), vs. CBJ (Nov. 10), @ PHI (Nov. 12), @ CBJ (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 53.9%
Preseason O/U: 84.5
Current points pace: 88.3
After the Blue Jackets were in the mix for a playoff spot up until the final weeks of the 2024-25 season, there was some belief that they’d get over the hump and back into the postseason this time around. They still might, but not at this pace.
Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 8), @ EDM (Nov. 10), @ SEA (Nov. 11), vs. EDM (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 56.3%
Preseason O/U: 80.5
Current points pace: 92.3
The Bruins are in a period of transition, as they wait for 2025 lottery pick James Hagens to take over as their franchise center. So far, they’ve been a bit better than most expected.
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 8), vs. TOR (Nov. 11), @ OTT (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 53.6%
Preseason O/U: 67.5
Current points pace: 87.9
Speaking of better than expected … have the Blackhawks finally arrived as legitimate contenders? It’s probably too soon to go that far in describing Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar & Co., but the pieces are definitely in place for a serious run in the next few seasons.
Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 7), @ DET (Nov. 9), vs. NJ (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 53.6%
Preseason O/U: 95.5
Current points pace: 87.9
An injury to captain Brady Tkachuk appeared to take the wind out of the Senators’ sails a bit. His return — likely sometime after American Thanksgiving — can’t come soon enough.
Next seven days: @ PHI (Nov. 8), vs. UTA (Nov. 9), vs. DAL (Nov. 11), vs. BOS (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 53.9%
Preseason O/U: 84.5
Current points pace: 88.3
Thanks to what is becoming a historic rookie season for 2025 first pick Matthew Schaefer, the Isles are creeping into the must-watch category.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 7), @ NYR (Nov. 8), @ NJ (Nov. 10), @ VGK (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 53.6%
Preseason O/U: 106.5
Current points pace: 87.9
With Aleksander Barkov out for the regular season and Matthew Tkachuk out until sometime in December, it’s not surprising that the back-to-back champs have taken a (hopefully temporary) step backward.
Next seven days: @ SJ (Nov. 8), @ VGK (Nov. 10), vs. WSH (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50%
Preseason O/U: 83.5
Current points pace: 82
At some point, one presumes, the Sabres will end the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports. But one presumes this will not be the year it happens.
Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 8), @ UTA (Nov. 12), @ COL (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50%
Preseason O/U: 95.5
Current points pace: 82
The Rangers have continually tinkered with their personnel over the past 12 months — including trading away Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller; acquiring J.T. Miller; and hiring Mike Sullivan as head coach. The new concoction hasn’t yielded better results yet.
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 7), vs. NYI (Nov. 8), vs. NSH (Nov. 10), @ TB (Nov. 12)
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 46.7%
Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 76.5
The Canucks missed the playoffs by six points in 2024-25 — and are way off that pace so far in 2025-26.
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 8), vs. COL (Nov. 9), vs. WPG (Nov. 11)
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 43.8%
Preseason O/U: 86.5
Current points pace: 71.8
The big winners of 2024 free agency were one of the NHL’s biggest flops last season, finishing with 68 points. They’re currently a bit ahead of that pace but certainly not threatening for a playoff spot one month in.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 8), @ NYR (Nov. 10)
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 43.3%
Preseason O/U: 94.5
Current points pace: 71.1
The Wild are scoring 2.80 goals this season, which is 22nd in the NHL. The Wild are allowing 3.67 goals per game, which is 29th (or fourth worst). That combo has not led to great results, as you might have guessed.
Next seven days: @ NYI (Nov. 7), vs. CGY (Nov. 9), vs. SJ (Nov. 11)
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 46.4%
Preseason O/U: 70.5
Current points pace: 76.1
Last season’s fun bad team, the Sharks are … maybe not that bad anymore? Potential Canadian Olympian Macklin Celebrini, age 19, has 21 points through 14 games, good for a share of the league scoring lead.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 7), vs. FLA (Nov. 8), @ MIN (Nov. 11), @ CGY (Nov. 13)
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 40%
Preseason O/U: 92.5
Current points pace: 65.6
Aside from Jordan Binnington‘s puck-stealing antics, there hasn’t been much to be excited about when it comes to the 2025-26 Blues. Then again, we’re old enough to remember what happened the last time this team got off to a really bad start.
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Nov. 8), vs. CGY (Nov. 11)
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.3%
Preseason O/U: 83.5
Current points pace: 54.7
Perhaps the 2024-25 season — when the Flames missed the playoffs because of a standings tiebreaker — was an aberration. Could the Flames again prioritize the future like they did during the 2024 trade season?
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 7), @ MIN (Nov. 9), @ STL (Nov. 11), vs. SJ (Nov. 13)
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Bradford Doolittle
ORLANDO, Fla. — There were a number of ironies surrounding the results of the contemporary baseball era committee’s Hall of Fame ballot, announced Sunday night at MLB’s winter meetings.
Perhaps the most poignant is this: If not for Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent — the only one of the eight players under consideration selected Sunday — might not be bound for Cooperstown. While Kent is the all-time home run hitter among second basemen, he was on the same ballot as Bonds — who hit more homers than anyone, at any position.
During a post-announcement news conference, Kent recalled the way he and Bonds used to push, prod and sometimes annoy each other during their six seasons as teammates on the San Francisco Giants. Those were Kent’s best seasons, a fairly late-career peak that ran from 1997 to 2002, during which Kent posted 31.6 of his 55.4 career bWAR.
The crescendo was 2000, when Kent enjoyed his career season at age 32, hitting .334 with a 1.021 OPS, hammering 33 homers with 125 RBIs and compiling a career-best 7.2 bWAR. Hitting fourth behind Bonds and his .440 OBP, Kent hit .382 with runners on base and .449 with a runner on first base.
During Kent’s six years in San Francisco, he was one of five players in baseball to go to the plate with at least one runner on base at least 2,000 times, and the other four all played at least 48 more games than he did. Turns out, hitting behind Bonds is a pretty good career move.
To be clear, Kent was an outstanding player and the numbers he compiled were his, and his alone. When you see how the news of election impacts players, it’s a special thing. I am happy Jeff Kent is now a Hall of Famer.
But I am less happy with the Hall of Fame itself. While Kent’s overwhelming support — he was named on 14 of the 16 ballots, two more than the minimum needed for induction — caught me more than a little off guard, what didn’t surprise me was the overall voting results. In what amounted to fine print, there was this mention in the Hall’s official news release: “Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela each received less than five votes.”
By the new guidelines the Hall enacted for its ever-evolving era committee process — guidelines that went into effect with this ballot — Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield and Valenzuela aren’t eligible in 2028, the next time the contemporary era is considered. They can be nominated in 2031, and if they are, that’s probably it. If they don’t get onto at least five ballots then, they are done. And there is no reason to believe they will get more support the next time.
I thought that the makeup of this committee was stacked against the PED-associated players, but that’s a subjective assessment. And who knows what goes on in those deliberations. With so many players from the 1970s and 1980s in the group, it seemed to bode well for Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy. But they were both listed on just six ballots. Carlos Delgado had the second most support, at nine.
Why? Beats me. I’ve given up trying to interpret the veterans committee/era committee processes that have existed over the years. But the latest guidelines seem perfectly designed to ensure that for the next six years, there’s no reason to wail about Bonds and Clemens being excluded. Then in 2031, that’s it.
Meanwhile, the classic era will be up for consideration again in 2027, when Pete Rose can and likely will be nominated. Perhaps Shoeless Joe Jackson as well. What happens then is anybody’s guess, but by the second week of December 2031, we could be looking at a Hall of Fame roster that includes the long ineligible (but no more) Rose and maybe Jackson but permanently excludes the never-ineligible Bonds and Clemens — perhaps the best hitter and pitcher, respectively, who ever played.
If and when it happens, another kind of symbolic banishment will take place: The Hall will have consigned itself, with these revised guidelines, to always being less than it should be. And the considerable shadows of Bonds and Clemens will continue to loom, larger and larger over time, just as they happened with Rose and Jackson.
Ironic, isn’t it?
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren and forward Ryan Leonard on injured reserve Sunday night before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Washington recalled forward Bogdan Trineyev and goaltender Clay Stevenson from Hershey of the American Hockey League.
Lindgren (upper body) was a late scratch Friday night before a 4-3 shootout loss at Anaheim. Leonard (upper body) didn’t return after his face was bloodied on an unpenalized first-period check from Jacob Trouba.
“He’s going to miss an extended period of time,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said about Leonard, the rookie who has seven goals and 11 assists after having two each Wednesday night in a 7-1 win at San Jose.
Lindgren is 5-3 with a 3.11 goals-against average in his 10th NHL season and fifth with Washington.
“We’ll see once he gets back on the ice,” Carbery said. “But [we] put him on the IR, so he’s going to miss, what is it, seven days at the bare minimum. And then we’ll see just how he progresses.”
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Bradford Doolittle
ORLANDO, Fla. — Jeff Kent, who holds the record for home runs by a second baseman, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.
Kent, 57, was named on 14 of 16 ballots by the contemporary baseball era committee, two more than he needed for induction.
Just as noteworthy as Kent’s selection were the names of those who didn’t garner enough support, which included all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, 354-game winner Roger Clemens, two MVPs from the 1980s, Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy, and Gary Sheffield, who slugged 509 career homers.
Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield and Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela were named on fewer than five ballots. According to a new protocol introduced by the Hall of Fame that went into effect with this ballot, players drawing five or fewer votes won’t be eligible the next time their era is considered. They can be nominated again in a subsequent cycle, but if they fall short of five votes again, they will not be eligible for future consideration.
The candidacies of Bonds and Clemens have long been among the most hotly debated among Hall of Fame aficionados because of their association with PEDs. With Sunday’s results, they moved one step closer to what will ostensibly be permanent exclusion from the sport’s highest honor.
If Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield and Valenzuela are nominated when their era comes around in 2031 and fall short of five votes again, it will be their last shot at enshrinement under the current guidelines.
Kent, whose best seasons were with the San Francisco Giants as Bonds’ teammate, continued his longstanding neutral stance on Bonds’ candidacy, declining to offer an opinion on whether or not he believes Bonds should get in.
“Barry was a good teammate of mine,” Kent said. “He was a guy that I motivated and pushed. We knocked heads a little bit. He was a guy that motivated me at times, in frustration, in love, at times both.
“Barry was one of the best players I ever saw play the game, amazing. For me, I’ve always said that. I’ve always avoided the specific answer you’re looking for, because I don’t have one. I don’t. I’m not a voter.”
Kent played 17 seasons in the majors for six different franchises and grew emotional at times as he recollected the different stops in a now-Hall of Fame career that ended in 2008. He remained on the BBWAA ballot for all 10 years of his eligibility after retiring, but topped out at 46.5% in 2023, his last year.
“The time had gone by, and you just leave it alone, and I left it alone,” Kent said. “I loved the game, and everything I gave to the game I left there on the field. This moment today, over the last few days, I was absolutely unprepared. Emotionally unstable.”
A five-time All-Star, Kent was named NL MVP in 2000 as a member of the Giants, who he set a career high with a .334 average while posting 33 homers and 125 RBIs. Kent hit 377 career homers, 351 as a second baseman, a record for the position.
Kent is the 62nd player elected to the Hall who played for the Giants. He also played for Toronto, the New York Mets, Cleveland, Houston and the Dodgers. Now, he’ll play symbolically for baseball’s most exclusive team — those with plaques hanging in Cooperstown, New York.
“I have not walked through the halls of the Hall of Fame,” Kent said. “And that’s going to be overwhelming once I get in there.”
Carlos Delgado was named on nine ballots, the second-highest total among the eight under consideration. Mattingly and Murphy received six votes apiece. All three are eligible to be nominated again when the contemporary era is next considered in 2028.
Next up on the Hall calendar is voting by the BBWAA on this year’s primary Hall of Fame ballot. Those results will be announced on Jan. 20.
Anyone selected through that process will join Kent in being inducted on July 26, 2026, on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown.
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