NHL Power Rankings: Canes Lead as Several Teams Exceed Preseason Expectations

The National Hockey League is approaching the quarter mark of its expanded 84-game season, with 21 games played by most clubs. As the campaign progresses, distinct patterns have emerged, separating clear Stanley Cup contenders from teams positioning themselves for high draft lottery picks. ESPN has released its updated 1-32 Power Rankings, combining ballots from a panel of hockey commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors based on results through Wednesday, November 11.

The Carolina Hurricanes remain at the top of the list, holding their No. 1 position from the previous edition published on November 6. The team is performing significantly above its preseason over/under of 107.5 points, currently pacing for 132.6 points with a 78.95 points percentage. This strong start is notable given that reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jordan Staal has missed a significant portion of the season. The Hurricanes have upcoming matches against the Seattle Kraken and the Montreal Canadiens.

The Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins round out the top three. Vancouver maintains a 75 points percentage against a 100.5 point projection, while Boston has surged from fourth to third place. The Bruins are pacing for 126 points, well above their 88.5 point preseason expectation, marking them as one of the league's strongest clubs despite initial skepticism. The Edmonton Oilers, currently fourth, are also exceeding projections with a pace of 130.2 points, driven by an inspired Connor McDavid following the team's early exit from the 2026 playoffs.

Several teams have defied expectations, with the Nashville Predators representing the most significant positive surprise. Ranked 11th, the Preds have jumped from 19th in the previous poll. After missing the playoffs in the 2025-26 season, they are now pacing for 110.5 points against a modest 85.5 point projection. Similarly, the Seattle Kraken, now 17th, are pacing for 99.8 points against an 81.5 point over/under, establishing themselves as serious playoff contenders. The New York Rangers also continue to perform impressively despite a season-ending injury to goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

Conversely, the Florida Panthers have struggled to meet their high preseason standards. Tied for the highest over/under at 107.5 points, the Panthers are currently pacing for only 97.3 points, dropping them to 14th in the rankings. The team is expected to benefit from the return of Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov later in the season. In the bottom half of the standings, the Vancouver Canucks' in-state rivals, the Seattle Kraken, have been a pleasant surprise, while the Los Angeles Kings remain well behind their projections despite a more competitive recent stretch.

At the bottom of the rankings, the Vancouver Canucks sit in last place with a 17.5 points percentage and a current pace of 29.4 points. The article notes that Landon DuPont, a Western Canadian prospect playing for the University of Michigan, is ranked first on many 2027 NHL draft boards, suggesting Canucks fans should pay closer attention to him. The Chicago Blackhawks, ranked 31st, are also far from contention, with Connor Bedard still developing the team into a division title contender.

The methodology for these rankings involves a panel of ESPN experts voting on all 32 teams based on recent performance. The combined ballots determine the final order. The data reflects points percentages and paces through games played on November 11, providing a snapshot of how each franchise is tracking against the sportsbook projections set at the start of the 2026-27 campaign.