As the 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournament concludes, all NHL players have returned to their respective teams, with several notable injuries impacting rosters, including Kevin Fiala, Sidney Crosby, and Mikko Rantanen. With the post-Olympic segment of the NHL season underway, ESPN analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash have released updated NHL Power Rankings for 2024, coupled with over/under points total evaluations to guide betting decisions.
The rankings rely on a 1-32 poll contributed by ESPN’s panel of hockey commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors, reflecting games played through Wednesday. Points percentages are calculated through Thursday’s matches, and all odds referenced are current from DraftKings Sportsbook but may fluctuate.
Top NHL Teams Leading the Standings
The Colorado Avalanche continue to top the NHL Power Rankings with a points percentage of 74.6%. They are favored to surpass their over/under line of 119.5 with key players such as Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar all contributing immediately after the Olympic break. The addition of Brett Kulak on defense strengthens their roster further, and trade deadline moves could bolster their chances even more. The Avalanche face the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks in the upcoming week.
Holding steady in second place, the Tampa Bay Lightning maintain a strong 70.2% points percentage and are predicted to finish under their set line of 113.5 points. Their schedule allows room to clinch the division early, potentially resting key players near the season’s end. Tampa Bay’s upcoming matchups include Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, and Winnipeg Jets.
The Carolina Hurricanes sit third with a 69% points percentage but are forecasted to finish under their 110.5 over/under total. Despite goaltender Brandon Bussi’s breakout form and potential trade enhancements, surpassing 110 points remains a challenging target for Carolina. Their next games will be against Detroit Red Wings, Seattle Kraken, and Vancouver Canucks.
The Minnesota Wild remain fourth with a 67.8% points percentage and over/under set at 106.5 points. The team has been strong since acquiring Quinn Hughes, posting a 15-5-5 record, and GM Bill Guerin may still look to make additional moves to improve their playoff prospects. The Wild face Utah Mammoth, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning over the next week.
Dallas Stars maintain fifth place with a 68.1% points percentage and an optimistic over/under line of 107.5 points. Despite the absence of injured forward Mikko Rantanen, the Stars have performed well and are expected to continue that trend. GM Jim Nill is anticipated to further strengthen the squad before the trade deadline. Dallas’ schedule includes matchups against Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.
Middle-Tier Teams Showing Potential
The Montreal Canadiens have elevated their standing to sixth place from ninth, carrying a points percentage of 62.9%. Their over/under is set at 100.5 points with confidence that goalie Jacob Fowler could stabilize any goaltending issues. Juraj Slafkovsky’s recent outstanding play in Italy adds additional firepower, and the Canadiens could make shrewd moves at the deadline. They will face Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks next week.
Pittsburgh Penguins, ranked seventh with a 63.2% points percentage, have an over/under line of 95.5 points. Despite a challenging remaining schedule, including games against strong teams like Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes, they possess enough cushion to secure a playoff spot and exceed their points total. Their next contests include games at New York Rangers, home against Vegas, away at Boston Bruins, and home against Buffalo Sabres.
Detroit Red Wings hold eighth place with a 62.7% points percentage and a 97.5 over/under line. Following a slow start, they remain positioned for an Atlantic Division playoff berth, with crucial games ahead against the Panthers and Lightning. Detroit’s upcoming fixtures are at Carolina, Nashville, and home to Vegas.
Buffalo Sabres are ninth, slipping slightly from sixth with a 62.1% points percentage. With an over/under of 97.5 points, the Sabres face pressure to maintain momentum under new management and must avoid slip-ups that could derail their playoff ambitions. Alex Tuch’s presence and a possible contract extension suggest some organizational stability. Buffalo heads to Florida, faces Tampa Bay, Vegas, and Pittsburgh over the coming week.
Rounding out the top ten, the Vegas Golden Knights are tenth with a 60.3% points percentage. Their over/under is 99.5 points, a total complicated by inconsistent goaltending from Adin Hill since Jan. 15. If Hill replicates his pre-Olympic form, Vegas likely reaches 100 points; if not, they must rely on their strong depth to secure wins. Upcoming games include Washington, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Detroit on the road.
Teams Hovering Around Middle to Lower Rankings
Boston Bruins remain in eleventh place with a 61.2% points percentage. Their 93.5 over/under points line is viewed as conservative, considering recent play and remaining schedule. Though roster changes before the deadline seem unlikely, the Bruins appear positioned for a wild-card playoff slot. They play Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Nashville next week.
New York Islanders have climbed to twelfth with a 60.2% points percentage. Their line at 94.5 points is optimistic yet feasible, supported by goaltenders Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer, leading candidates for the Vezina and Calder trophies respectively. Achieving the over could see them secure a third Metropolitan playoff place. The Islanders will face Columbus, Florida, Anaheim, and Los Angeles in the forthcoming week.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are now thirteenth, improving from twenty-second place, but with a 57% points percentage and a cautious expectation to stay under 93.5 points. A strenuous schedule includes three games against Carolina, and no major trades are anticipated, making a playoff appearance unlikely. Columbus plays New York Islanders, Rangers, Nashville, and Florida next.
At fourteenth, the Utah Mammoth boast a 55.2% points percentage and an over/under set at 93.5 points. Sitting atop the early wild-card positioning, their success depends on the healthy return of Logan Cooley and a favorable schedule, including 13 home games in 24 remaining. Opponents in the next week include Minnesota, Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia.
The Anaheim Ducks rank fifteenth, with a matching 57% points percentage and a 91.5 points over/under line. With key forward Leo Carlsson returning healthy and a recent 10-2-0 surge before the break, Anaheim is among the hottest teams, facing the third-least challenging schedule down the stretch. Their upcoming matchups feature Winnipeg, Calgary, Colorado, and New York Islanders.
Struggling Teams and Deadline Decisions
The Washington Capitals sit sixteenth with a 55.8% points percentage and an over/under of 91.5 points. Their fewer remaining games and lighter schedule offer a shot at reaching this line, but a playoff push will rely on the offensive spark from Pierre-Luc Dubois’s post-injury return. Upcoming games include Vegas, Montreal, and Utah.
Edmonton Oilers hold seventeenth place with 55% points percentage but face a steep challenge with an over/under of 92.5 points. Leon Draisaitl stresses the need for overall team improvement. Their recent .417 pace and goaltending struggles suggest that even Connor McDavid might be unable to carry them to the playoffs without notable progress soon. Edmonton faces San Jose and Ottawa next.
Ottawa Senators are eighteenth, marginally below the Mammoth with a 55.2% points percentage and a 91.5 points over/under line. The team will need a significant surge to meet expectations here, heavily contingent on Linus Ullmark rediscovering his previous Vezina-winning consistency. Ottawa’s schedule features Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary.
Seattle Kraken, nineteenth, hold a playoff spot and sit on 54.3% points percentage with an 87.5 over/under. Despite not projected for postseason longevity, their current pace makes 25 points in the remaining 25 games attainable. The Kraken match up against Vancouver, Carolina, and St. Louis next week.
Toronto Maple Leafs are twentieth with a 53.4% points percentage and an 89.5 points line. Their playoff hopes rest on surpassing this total amid pressure in the first season following Mitch Marner’s departure. Although exceeding 90 points is probable, it may not guarantee postseason participation. Toronto faces Ottawa, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York Rangers.
Lower Ranked Teams Facing Challenges
Los Angeles Kings soar up to twenty-first place with a 51.7% points percentage and an over/under at 91.5 points. The loss of Kevin Fiala is significant, but Artemi Panarin’s arrival provides essential scoring. GM Ken Holland is expected to continue roster adjustments. Additionally, the Kings have the easiest remaining schedule of any team, competing against clubs with an aggregate points percentage of .524. Their upcoming schedule includes Calgary, Colorado, and New York Islanders.
Florida Panthers rank twenty-second with 54.3% points percentage but are projected to exceed their 91.5 points over/under. With Matthew Tkachuk back in stride, the Panthers remain a threat despite unlikely playoff status. They face Buffalo, New York Islanders, New Jersey, and Columbus over the next seven days.
Philadelphia Flyers take twenty-third spot with a 54.3% points percentage, holding an 88.5 points over/under line. Although unlikely to reach the postseason, surpassing this point total is plausible, and the organization views the season as successful if they maintain competitiveness without pressure, leveraging untapped potential. Upcoming games against Boston, Toronto, and Utah are on tap.
San Jose Sharks occupy twenty-fourth place at 51.8% points percentage. Their 85.5 points over/under line seems achievable given they begin six remaining games at home—a major advantage. Projected four wins over those contests could ignite a push toward meeting this mark. Their next opponents are Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Montreal.
Teams on the Brink of Rebuilding
Nashville Predators sit twenty-fifth with a 52.6% points percentage but are expected to stay under 85.5 points. GM Barry Trotz’s upcoming decisions about players like Ryan O’Reilly, Jonathan Marchessault, and Steven Stamkos will shape the club’s direction. Nashville faces a tough lineup featuring more away games in the near term, scheduled against Dallas, Detroit, Columbus, and Boston.
New Jersey Devils, twenty-sixth ranked with 49.2% points percentage, face a pivotal trade deadline. Expected to bolster for a playoff push, the Devils rely heavily on Jack Hughes to produce at a higher level than seen in the Olympics. Their over/under at 86.5 points sets a tough standard with games against St. Louis, Florida, and Toronto.
Winnipeg Jets hold twenty-seventh spot with 47.4% points percentage and an underdog position chasing 80.5 points. Despite trailing in the wild-card race, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s recent gold-medal performance fuels optimism. The Jets’ upcoming opponents are Anaheim, San Jose, Chicago, and Tampa Bay.
Calgary Flames rank twenty-eighth also with 47.4% points percentage but are forecasted to fall under 76.5 points. Expected offseason trades involving key scorers like Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman could diminish their chances of winning enough games. Their schedule includes games at Los Angeles, Anaheim, Dallas, and Ottawa.
Bottom Teams Struggling to Compete
Chicago Blackhawks, twenty-ninth with a 45.7% points percentage, appear to be transitioning toward rebuilding. GM Kyle Davidson is likely to trade key players before the March 6 deadline, and winning opportunities may be limited for top prospect Connor Bedard and the squad moving forward. Chicago’s next games are at Colorado, Utah, and Winnipeg.
New York Rangers fall to thirtieth with a 44% points percentage but are predicted to surpass their 74.5 points target. Despite trading Artemi Panarin and dipping near the Eastern Conference’s bottom, solid contributors on defense and in goal plus an easier concluding schedule give hope. They face Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Toronto next week.
St. Louis Blues remain thirty-first with a 44% points percentage, expected to finish below 74.5 points. Given their 0.86 points-per-game average and a minus-56 goal differential, plus anticipated roster trades, a surge to the over line seems improbable. Their opponents are New Jersey, Minnesota, and Seattle.
Finally, the Vancouver Canucks remain last at thirty-second place with a 37.1% points percentage and a 64.5 points over/under. Multiple key players are expected to be traded by the deadline. Considering the team’s recent struggles losing 18 of their last 20 games, the odds of winning nine of the last 24 contests—including earning overtime loss points—are slim. Vancouver’s next contests are at Seattle, Dallas, and Carolina.
The Significance of the Power Rankings and What Lies Ahead
These NHL Power Rankings and over/under projections offer a detailed assessment of team trajectories as the season enters a critical phase post-Olympics. Trade deadline activity, injury recoveries, and player performance over the next several weeks will heavily influence playoff positioning and postseason viability. While top teams like the Avalanche, Lightning, and Hurricanes look positioned to make strong runs, several mid-tier clubs stand at key crossroads where management decisions and player form will define their futures. Meanwhile, rebuilding teams face tough choices that will shape next season’s outlook.
With a dense and competitive schedule ahead, the NHL landscape remains dynamic, and bettors, analysts, and fans alike will be closely watching these over/under lines and team movements to gauge who can seize momentum and who may falter in the demanding race to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
