Stanley Cup power rankings for remaining NHL playoff teams

wcc

May 11, 2026 - 12:57

0 0

Stanley Cup power rankings for remaining NHL playoff teams

The Stanley Cup playoffs are heating up as teams battle to be named the top team in the NHL. The Carolina Hurricanes are the first team to cement their place in the Conference Finals. They swept the Philadelphia Flyers with ease and are ready to battle for a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Here are the updated Stanley Cup power rankings as of May 11^th.

MORE: 3 burning questions Los Angeles Kings must answer in 2026 offseason

7. Anaheim Ducks

May 4, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) controls the puck in front of Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the third period of game one of the second round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Ducks have given their all against the Golden Knights. Anaheim’s offense has been as good as any team in the playoffs. The team’s issues arise on the defensive side of the puck as Ducks’ goaltenders are surrendering the 4^th–most goals per game.

6. Minnesota Wild

The Wild have the toughest battle of all teams in the second round of the playoffs. The offense exploded in game three, giving the team a much-needed win. Minnesota has tough work ahead, but a win on Monday can even the series at two wins apiece.

5. Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens’ series with the Sabres has been one of the best matchups of the playoffs. Montreal and Buffalo are sizing each other up while evenly matched. Montreal has the edge on the defensive end of the ice, as the team is ranked 2^nd in goals allowed per game.

4. Buffalo Sabres

May 6, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Montréal Canadiens in game one of the second round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Sabres are trading blows with the Canadiens. Buffalo’s second-round series feels as if it will go to seven games. The key to moving on will be scoring early, as Montreal’s defense has allowed the second-lowest number of goals per game.

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas entered its series with Anaheim knowing there was a battle ahead. This young Anaheim has shown the ability to score with top-ranked offenses in the playoffs. The Golden Knights rank 3^rd in goals scored per game and must continue peppering the net while keeping Anaheim off the score sheet.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina made quick work of Philadelphia. The Hurricanes showed why they were the Eastern Conference’s top team throughout the 2025-2026 season. It doesn’t matter who Carolina plays in the Eastern Conference Finals; they will be the favorite. A failure to reach the Stanley Cup Finals will be one of the biggest upsets in the 2025-2026 playoffs.

1. Colorado Avalanche

May 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Minnesota Wild in game two of the second round of the NHL 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The road to the coveted Stanley Cup runs through Colorado. The best team during the regular season, the Avalanche, hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs. The team ranks first in goals scored per game, and only the Carolina Hurricanes have a better record this postseason.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —