The NHL standings are beginning to take shape after the first games of the 2026-27 regular season, with the Edmonton Oilers holding the early Pacific Division lead and the Florida Panthers sitting atop the Atlantic.
The snapshot entering Friday, October 2, follows the opening slate that began on September 29 and includes early results from the league’s Canadian teams.
Edmonton has collected three points from two games after opening with a loss to Vancouver before responding with a nine-goal victory in the rematch.
Florida also has three points after two games, while the Panthers, Boston Bruins and Montréal Canadiens are among the early leaders in the Atlantic Division.
The NHL schedule has expanded to 84 games per team for the 2026-27 campaign, adding two divisional games to each club’s regular-season calendar, according to the league’s 2026-27 regular-season schedule.
Table of Contents
Early NHL standings by division
| Division | Early leader | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Florida Panthers | 1-0-1 | 3 |
| Metropolitan | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-0-0 | 2 |
| Central | Colorado Avalanche | 1-0-0 | 2 |
| Pacific | Edmonton Oilers | 1-0-1 | 3 |
The opening standings remain highly provisional because several teams had not yet played, while others had already completed two games.
Florida’s three points put the Panthers ahead of Boston and Montréal, which each opened 1-0-0 and had two points.
Pittsburgh made one of the strongest statements in the opening round with a 7-0 win over Philadelphia, placing the Penguins at the top of the Metropolitan Division before Friday’s games.
Colorado leads the Central after an 8-4 win over Los Angeles, while Vegas began its campaign with a 5-2 victory over Chicago.
The standings are based on points rather than regulation wins alone, meaning a team earns two points for a regulation or overtime victory and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.
How the Canadian teams have started
| Team | Record | Points | Early position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 1-0-1 | 3 | Pacific leader |
| Montréal Canadiens | 1-0-0 | 2 | Near the top of the Atlantic |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1-1-0 | 2 | Early Atlantic pack |
| Vancouver Canucks | 1-1-0 | 2 | Early Pacific pack |
| Calgary Flames | 0-1-0 | 0 | Early Pacific pack |
| Winnipeg Jets | 0-0-0 | 0 | Season opener October 2 |
| Ottawa Senators | 0-0-0 | 0 | Season opener still to come |
Montréal began the season with a 3-2 win over Toronto, while the Maple Leafs quickly followed with a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders.
Vancouver defeated Edmonton in the season opener before the Oilers answered with a 9-5 win, leaving both clubs with two games played and two points for the Canucks compared with three for Edmonton.
Calgary opened with a 6-1 loss to Seattle, leaving the Flames with no points before their next game.
Winnipeg was scheduled to open at home against Boston on October 2, while Ottawa had yet to enter the standings at the time of the early snapshot, according to the October 2 schedule.
Why the early table needs context
Early-season standings can change sharply because teams have played an uneven number of games and a single overtime result can create a significant points gap.
The 84-game schedule adds another layer of importance to divisional matchups, with each team receiving two additional games against opponents in its own division.
That change could make divisional points more valuable later in the season, particularly in tightly packed races for playoff positioning.
The league has also scheduled the 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend for February 5 and 6 in Long Island, with the regular season continuing through April 10.
What to watch next
Friday’s schedule includes several games that could quickly reshape the early table, including Boston’s visit to Winnipeg, Seattle’s game against Edmonton and Calgary’s meeting with Vancouver.
The New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils are also scheduled to play.
For Canadian fans, the Edmonton-Seattle game is the most direct opportunity for the early Pacific Division lead to change.
The standings will become more meaningful once every team has played several games, but the opening results have already highlighted Edmonton’s offensive response, Montréal’s strong start and the crowded race in the Atlantic Division, providing an early guide to key matchups to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the NHL standings early in the 2026-27 season?
Edmonton and Florida are among the early overall leaders with three points after two games.
Which Canadian NHL team has the most points early in the season?
The Edmonton Oilers have the most early points among Canadian teams, with three from a 1-0-1 record.
How are NHL standings points awarded?
Teams receive two points for a regulation or overtime win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.
How many games will NHL teams play in 2026-27?
Each team is scheduled to play 84 regular-season games, two more than in recent seasons.
Why do NHL teams have different numbers of games played early in the season?
The opening schedule is staggered, so some clubs begin earlier or play more frequently than others.
Fact-Checked: Key standings, schedule and season-format details were checked against NHL information and current game-result data available on October 2, 2026.
Disclaimer: Standings are an early-season snapshot and can change after each completed NHL game.