The 2025-26 NHL regular season is winding down, setting the stage for the high-stakes drama of the playoffs. It's the perfect moment to look back at our preseason crystal ball and see just how accurate—or hilariously off-target—our predictions were. Hockey's beauty lies in its glorious unpredictability, and this season has been a masterclass in defying expectations.

Take the Buffalo Sabres, for instance. Preseason chatter had them as hopeful outsiders, but few could have dreamed of this dominant breakout. Not only have they shattered a painful 14-year playoff drought, but they've stormed to the top of the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division. It's a story of a young core clicking at the perfect time, proving that patience and development can pay off in spectacular fashion.

In a stunning contrast, the Florida Panthers' story is one of a championship empire hitting unexpected turbulence. After hoisting the Stanley Cup in consecutive years, the loss of cornerstone Aleksander Barkov was a massive blow. A subsequent cascade of injuries derailed their season entirely, leaving the once-dominant Panthers scrambling near the bottom of the league standings. It's a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in a sport built on speed, skill, and resilience.

As we prepare to drop the puck on the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, let's revisit our very first Power Rankings from October. Here’s a final look at how every team's preseason projection stacks up against their actual finish—a testament to the thrilling chaos that makes hockey the greatest game on ice.