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Andy's NHL power rankings for all All Eight Remaining Playoff Teams in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Where does each NHL team stand during the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs officially in the books, it's time to update our power rankings with the eight remaining clubs in the current playoff bracket.
In Round 1, we saw both top seeds in each representative conference take care of business in a perfect four-game sweep, while some teams needed to go to seven games to punch their ticket to Round 2. Over the weekend, some teams even began their second-round matchups, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, who extended their perfect postseason records and are establishing themselves as the clear favorites to reach the final.
All statistics and team records mentioned are updated as of Monday, May 4. Who were the biggest risers and fallers from this past week? Let's dive in!
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No. 8 - Philadelphia Flyers
While there was some concern after dropping two straight games, the Flyers stopped the bleeding and took down the Penguins for the fourth time in Game 6 to seal the series. In this victory, the Flyers would score just one goal (Cam York) in overtime, while Dan Vladar led the way with a dominant 42-save shutout.
On Saturday, they began their second round match against the Hurricanes and looked quite overmatched in a tough 3-0 loss. They will look to rebound on Monday night before heading to Philadelphia for Game 3.
HOW ABOUT THESE FLYERS?!?
Cam York scores the Subway Canada OT winner to send the Flyers to the second round 👏 pic.twitter.com/bSMtvh7h2J
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2026
No. 7 - Vegas Golden Knights
Sitting in the No. 7 spot is the Golden Knights. The Knights fell early to the Utah Mammoth but went on to win three straight games to clinch the series in six. In Game 6, the Knights closed out the series with a convincing 5-1 victory thanks to a two-goal, three-point effort by winger Mitch Marner.
They will face the Anaheim Ducks in the second round and enter the series as the slight favorite, with home-ice advantage. Netminder Carter Hart will be the difference in this series. In Round 1, he posted a modest 2.72 GAA but entered the playoffs on a six-game winning streak. If he can rekindle his late-season form, the Golden Knights should be on their way to the Conference Final.
Marner led the Vegas offense in Round 1, scoring two goals and adding five helpers over six games. He posted a strong +5 rating while logging an impressive 15 shots on goal.
MITCH MARNER CLAPBOMB?!?! 🚀
The @GoldenKnights are up 2-0! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @espn
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports 2 pic.twitter.com/Kzvze4Q2sZ— NHL (@NHL) May 2, 2026
No. 6 - Anahiem Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks took down the Oilers in six games in their opening series and will sit just above the Golden Knights in our ranking. They would clinch the series on Thursday night with a 4-2 victory over the Oilers in Calgary. In this contest, the Ducks were led by three three-point efforts by forwards Chris Kreider, Troy Terry, and Leo Carlsson.
In the second round, the Ducks will face the Vegas Golden Knights, with the Knights having home-ice advantage in a potential Game 7. This series will begin on Monday evening.
No. 5 - Minnesota Wild
The Wild had one of the toughest opening matchups, facing the high-seeded Dallas Stars, but came out on top in six games. In Game 6, the Wild clinched the series on their home ice, taking down the Stars 5-2. In this contest, star defenseman Quinn Hughes led the way, scoring two goals and adding a helper.
On Sunday, they began their tilt against the President's Trophy winners but took a tough Game 1, falling in a thrilling 9-6 contest. In the opening round, the Wild were able to contain the Stars but saw their defense take a massive step back in the series opener. The Wild will need to fix this issue to compete with the game's highest-scoring club.
After posting a stellar 2.05 GAA with a .924% SV% over their opening round victory over the Dallas Stars, Jepser Wallstedt saw his statistics drop significantly in this loss. The Avalanche registered 42 shots on goal, but Wallstedt was only able to stop 34 of them.
QUINN HUGHES BANKS IT IN OFF THE DALLAS DEFENDER AND THE WILD LEAD AGAIN 🚨
WHAT A GOAL 😱 pic.twitter.com/VVg6DTtPuz
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 1, 2026
No. 4 - Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens got the job done in an upset Game 7 victory on Sunday night in Tampa Bay. Even though the Canadians were heavily outshot in this contest, they took down the Bolts (2-1) to punch their ticket to Round 2. Young netminder Jakub Dobes has been the heartbeat of this young Canadiens roster, stopping 28 of the 29 shots he saw on Sunday evening.
The Canadiens will now travel to Buffalo to play the Atlantic Division Champion Buffalo Sabers in Round 2. In the season series, both teams split 2-2, suggesting this series may go to seven games.
Overall, Dobes had a stellar showing in this opening round upset victory, posting a 2.03 GAA with a .923% SV% over these seven games. He only allowed more than two goals in three games and held the Lightning to one goal or fewer in two of them.
OH MY NEWHOOK BANKED IT OFF VAS IN MID AIR THEY'RE UP 2-1 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/TreT0Zi7Ee
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 4, 2026
No. 3 - Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres were unable to clinch their series against the Bruins in Game 5, falling 2-1 in overtime. However, Buffalo wasted little time in Game 6, taking down Boston on their ice to clinch the series victory (4-1). In this contest, Alex Lyon continued his impressive streak, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he saw, and is slated to remain at the top of the depth chart, surpassing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
In Round 2, the Sabres will play host to the Montreal Canadiens, who took the Lightning to seven games in their opening matchup.
Tage Thompson gets the Sabres on the board, 2-1 #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/jObIPURk3G
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) April 20, 2026
No. 2 - Carolina Hurricanes
The case can be made that the Hurricanes deserve the No. 1 spot on our list. The top team in the East took care of the Senators in a perfect four-game sweep and began their second round series over the Flyers with a dominating 3-0 victory. In this victory, Logan Stankoven continued his incredible postseason play, scoring his fifth and sixth goals in just five playoff games.
Overall, Carolina has allowed more than two goals in three of their games and has posted two shutouts. They could be in line for another quick series in Round 2.
Logan Stankoven scored 2 goals in Carolina’s 3-0 win in game 1 of the series against Philadelphia tonight! 1-0 series lead for Carolina
Stankoven has scored in 5 straight games! He has 7 points (6G + 1A) in 5 games in the playoffs
Logan Stankoven is the youngest player in NHL… pic.twitter.com/Ug5NKkWHZy
— Maietta Sports Media (@MaiettaSports) May 3, 2026
No. 1 - Colorado Avalanche
Remaining in the No. 1 spot on our list are the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche took care of business in the opening round, sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in four games. While the offense took time to find its footing, they enjoyed a nice surge in Game 4, scoring a series-high number of goals, with two goals coming from Nathan MacKinnon.
On Sunday, their offense continued to surge, putting nine goals past the Wild in their thrilling Game 1 victory. In this game, their top blue liners Devon Toews and Cale Makar led the scoring, combining for three goals and an impressive seven points.
CALE MAKAR SAW QUINN HUGHES' GOAL AND SAID "BET", AVS HAVE THE LEAD AGAIN 🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/tzGouQjRYD
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 4, 2026
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