The opening-night cluster of results did not create a single clean trend, but Tampa Bay Lightning’s 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights was the clearest early shift in the NHL playoff odds board. Tampa Bay is 7-2 and sits in the 90–100% playoff band with 109 projected points; Vegas is 8-3 and still in the 80–90% band at 104 projected points, but the loss checked a contender that has otherwise started fast.
Tampa Bay and Vegas separate at the top
The Lightning’s four-goal margin matters because both teams entered the night with strong records and high projection totals. Tampa Bay’s 7-2 start supports its top-tier standing, while Vegas at 8-3 remains well positioned but no longer has the cleanest early path in the West.
That same night, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2. Toronto is still only 5-6 and sits in the 40–50% playoff band with 92 projected points, while Columbus falls to 3-5 and remains in the 20–30% band at 85 projected points.
Toronto’s offense steadies a volatile start
The score line gave Toronto a needed buffer after a slow opening 11 games, but the broader read is unchanged: the Leafs are still fighting to climb out of the middle of the East pack. Columbus stays in a lower tier of the race, and the loss keeps its projection well short of the cutoff teams.
The St. Louis Blues edged the Winnipeg Jets 2-1, a tighter result that mattered more for standings texture than for a projection leap. St. Louis moves to 4-5 and stays in the 40–50% band at 92 projected points; Winnipeg is 4-5 and sits in the 50–60% band at 94 projected points.
Dallas Stars beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in a game between teams still projected as playoff sides. Dallas is 5-4 and in the 70–80% band with 104 projected points, while Boston is 7-3 and also in the 70–80% band at 104 projected points. The one-goal margin keeps both teams near the same early level even after Boston took the loss.
Edmonton, Seattle, and Carolina keep pace
Edmonton Oilers beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3, a narrow result between two teams sitting firmly in the playoff mix. Edmonton is 7-2 and remains in the 80–90% band with 102 projected points, while Minnesota is 6-4 and stays in the 80–90% band at 104 projected points.
The Seattle Kraken topped the Detroit Red Wings 4-3, giving Seattle another useful win in a crowded West race. Seattle is 6-4 and sits in the 50–60% band with 93 projected points; Detroit is 3-6 and remains in the 20–30% band at 87 projected points.
Carolina Hurricanes handled the Vancouver Canucks 6-3, reinforcing Carolina’s place near the top of the board. The Hurricanes are 8-3 and hold the 90–100% playoff band with 107 projected points, while Vancouver is 2-9 and sits in the 0–10% band at 75 projected points.
San Jose’s win leaves Montréal and Vancouver behind
The San Jose Sharks beat the Montréal Canadiens 4-3, a result that slightly improves San Jose’s foothold without changing its long odds profile. San Jose is 5-5 and remains in the 10–20% band with 82 projected points, while Montréal is 4-5 and stays in the 30–40% band at 90 projected points.
Next turn for Toronto and Columbus
The most relevant follow-up from this set is Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets, because Toronto needs to turn a 5-6 start into a sustained climb and Columbus needs to avoid sliding further in the East race. Early-season odds are still volatile, but the standings are already sorting teams into different tiers.
