The New York Rangers face a significant challenge early in the 2026-27 NHL season after losing starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the remainder of the year due to a lower-body injury sustained on October 9. Shesterkin, who won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie, was sidelined alongside backup goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, also injured, pushing the team to assign netminding duties to Dylan Garand. Originally slated to begin his fifth season in the American Hockey League, Garand has stepped into the starting role and delivered promising performances, including stopping 19 of 21 shots in a game against the Vancouver Canucks and recording a previous shutout. The Rangers currently hold second place in the Metropolitan Division.
In spite of the adversity in goal, the Rangers have climbed 16 spots in recent power rankings, reflecting an unexpected surge in team performance. Alexis Lafreniere, the 2020 first overall draft pick, has emerged as a key contributor, averaging over a point per game and highlighted by a four-point outing. Lafreniere’s production is a notable improvement in his career, surpassing his previous best of 57 points in a season.
Elsewhere in the NHL, several teams are struggling early in the year. The Calgary Flames, amid a rebuilding phase, sit near the bottom of the standings after being outscored 27-8 in their first five games. Philadelphia has had a historically poor start, losing their first seven games for the first time in franchise history. The Flyers have been hampered by injuries to players including Travis Konecny and Rasmus Ristolainen, and they recently added free agent Michael Bunting in an effort to bolster their lineup.
The Chicago Blackhawks also find themselves near the bottom, with a 1-5 record compounded by the absence of captain Connor Bedard, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. The Detroit Red Wings have experienced internal tension, with player Dylan Larkin receiving a mixed reception from fans amid a trade request, and defenseman Simon Edvinsson returning to Sweden as contract negotiations continue. The Los Angeles Kings are winless to start the season, further challenged by the injury absence of Mats Zuccarello.
Among playoff contenders, the Washington Capitals have dropped three places but remain in the top 10. Team captain and all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin announced that this season will be his last. Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s record of 1,016 combined regular-season and playoff goals and has already scored in five games this season, needing 10 more to surpass the milestone.
The power rankings reflect the early shifts in team fortunes across the NHL, with some traditional powers adapting to key player absences and others rebuilding while seeking stability in the standings as the season approaches the midway point.