NHL Power Rankings Based on Stanley Cup Odds After November: A New No. 1 Emerges

We're officially a quarter of the way through the NHL season, so it's time for another edition of the official IMAC NHL Power Rankings.

There's been some significant movement in the rankings, so let's not waste any more time.

The numbers in brackets indicate movement since the last edition of the power rankings.

All odds listed are via WynnBET Sportsbook.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs +1200 (+2)

Name a hotter team in the NHL than my Toronto Maple Leafs? You can't. They had the best record in the league in November at 12-2, so even though I'm biased, I think they deserve the top spot in the rankings.

2. Florida Panthers +800 (-)

The Florida Panthers are tied with the Maple Leafs with 33 points, and they still lead the NHL in CORSI%. They'll be among the top Stanley Cup contenders for the entire season.

3. Carolina Hurricanes +1200 (-2)

If you're into advanced analytics, the Hurricanes rank behind only the Panthers in CORSI% this season. A recent slump, 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, has caused them to fall to No. 3 in my rankings.

4. Washington Capitals +2500 (+1)

Interested in the best value bet on the board to win the Stanley Cup? Look no further than the Washington Capitals. At 14-4-5, they're tied with the Panthers and Maple Leafs for the most points in the NHL.

5. Calgary Flames +2500 (+2)

The Flames continue to dominate teams defensively. They're allowing only 1.74 goals against per 60 minutes of even strength play. That's insane, especially considering they're the only team that is has a sub-two number in that statistic.

6. Minnesota Wild +2000 (+2)

I'll respect the Wild for being in first place in the Central Division and for being on a four game win streak. I don't know why, but I'm still not convinced they're a top hockey club. Time will tell.

7. New York Rangers +3000 (+4)

The Rangers are the only New York team that gives the state any hope of watching playoff hockey this season. I knew they'd be a feisty team, but at 13-4-3, they've exceeded expectations.

8. Edmonton Oilers +1000 (-4)

Bettors are flocking to wager on the Oilers to win the Cup, but I'd advise to be cautious. Yes, Connor McDavid is the best hockey player on the planet, but they still stink in their own end. They give up the fifth most high danger scoring chances per game.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning +800 (-)

Every time the Lightning look like they're going to go on a run, they stumble. Losers of two straight, Tampa Bay will surely turn things on in crunch time this season.

10. Colorado Avalanche +550 (+3)

The Stanley Cup are finally starting to turn things around after an abysmal start to their season. They're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, but are prisoners of the NHL schedule. They've played four fewer games than the majority of their divisional opponents.

11. Anaheim Ducks +5000 (-5)

Oddsmakers are finally starting to respect the Ducks as a legit NHL team. Their Stanley Cup odds have moved from +30000 to +5000 since the last edition of the power rankings. With that being said, they've come down to earth a bit in their last 10 games, going 6-4.

12. Boston Bruins +1200 (-)

The Bruins are another victim of the NHL schedule, having only played 19 games so far this season. With that in mind, their sticks have become cold. They're third-last in shooting percentage in the NHL and its cost them some key wins.

13. St. Louis Blues +2500 (+3)

I'm only moving them up the power rankings because they've won two straight and they're second in their division. I'm convinced this team is fraudulent, but goaltender Jordan Binnington continues to steal them wins.

14. Winnipeg Jets +4000 (-4)

The Jets have stumbled as of late, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been fantastic for them between the pipes. In all honesty, they're a completely average team.

15. Nashville Predators +10000 (+2)

Much like the Jets, and every other team that's sitting in the middle of the rankings, they're an average team that has good nights and bad nights. They're fantastic defensively, but they're averaging the third fewest high danger scoring chances per game.

16. Dallas Stars +4000 (+6)

The Stars are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and are currently on the longest win streak in the NHL at five. That's deserving enough of the jump in the rankings.

17. San Jose Sharks +5000 (+3)

The California teams are better than people expected this season, but they're still not anything to write home about. San Jose does a decent job in its own end, so that's a plus.

18. Vegas Golden Knights +1000 (-)

We're a quarter into the NHL season, and the Golden Knights have still yet to prove that they're a contender. They're an average team this season, and it's time we start to accept that fact. 30th in high danger scoring chances against. That's not good.

19. Pittsburgh Penguins +2500 (+5)

Sidney Crosby hasn't hit mid-season form, but once he does, I expect the Pens to go on a run. They aren't the team that they used to be, but they're still a contender for a postseason spot.

20. Detroit Red Wings +20000 (+3)

Winners of three straight, I have to give the Red Wings some respect. With that being said, their advanced analytics are terrible. Regression will come, but credit to them for finding ways to win games.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets +10000 (-6)

At 12-8, the Blue Jackets are still holding on to a winning record. I expect them to regress sooner rather than later, but until they do, I can't drop them too far on my rankings.

22. Los Angeles Kings +10000 (-3)

The Kings are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games which has caused them to dip in my rankings, but I could foresee them going on a run at some point this season. They're creating the second most high danger scoring chances, but they're 27th in shooting percentage.

23. Seattle Kraken (+2)

Statistically, the Kraken aren't a bad team, they're just getting no help from their goaltenders. They rank dead last in the NHL in team save percentage at 87.40%. Hey Seattle, I'm a free agent FYI.

24. New Jersey Devils +10000 (-3)

The New Jersey Devils have the potential to be a better team than their current record indicates, but it's tough to win games when both your shooting percentage and save percentage is in the bottom 10 of the league.

25. Philadelphia Flyers +10000 (-11)

I no longer respect the Flyers. Their odds have fallen from +3000 to +10000 since last time I updated the rankings, and they've lost six straight games. Someone make sure Gritty is okay.

26. Buffalo Sabres +20000 (+1)

The Buffalo Sabres have regressed to their true selves. Luckily for them, other teams have sucked even more recently so they move up a spot by default.

27. Chicago Blackhawks +25000 (+3)

The Blackhawks are starting to save face on the ice. They're 6-4 in their last 10 games as they start to move on from the disaster of a start that they head to their season.

28. Montreal Canadiens +50000 (+3)

The Canadiens fired their general manager, and now they should officially start preparing for next season. Last year's Stanley Cup runner-ups are finished. Their season is done. Shame.

29. Vancouver Canucks +30000 (-1)

Owners of the lowest shooting percentage in the NHL, the Canucks can't hit the broad side of a barn.

30. Ottawa Senators +100000 (-1)

Owner of the second longest odds to win the Stanley Cup next to the Coyotes, the Senators needs to keep their focus on their future. This season is over for them.

31. New York Islanders +5000 (-5)

You can blame the long road trip, you can blame covid, you can do whatever you want. The fact is, the Islanders have lost eight straight games and they officially suck.

32. Arizona Coyotes +200000 (-)

The Coyotes are permanently in the last spot in the power rankings. At this rate, they might be eliminated from playoff contention before Christmas.