🧊 Introduction: Why SOS Matters
If you’re handicapping hockey without factoring in Strength of Schedule (SOS), you’re only reading half the box score. The Raymond Report’s SOS rating tells you who’s earned their record and who’s been padding stats against weak competition. It’s the difference between finding a team that’s battle-tested and one that’s schedule-protected.
Let’s break down the Top, Middle, and Bottom tiers of the NHL through the first three weeks based on SOS% — and see which teams deserve a market correction in the coming weeks.
🥇 Top Tier: The Battle-Tested Beasts (SOS 55%+)
These teams have faced the gauntlet early — high-caliber opponents, back-to-backs, and travel-heavy slates. Their records might not sparkle, but their Power Ratings (PR) show they’ve been fighting uphill.
| Team | W-L | SOS% | PR | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Flames | 2-8 | 55.20% | 0.38 | Brutal start against top-tier offenses. The record stinks, but the effort’s been uphill all month. Buy-low alert if they stabilize defensively. |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-6 | 56.30% | 0.45 | Without Vasilevskiy, the Bolts have been skating uphill. Their SOS is top-tier, so don’t write them off yet. |
| Florida Panthers | 5-5 | 55.11% | 0.53 | They’ve faced playoff-caliber teams almost nightly. A 50% win rate under those conditions is sneaky impressive. |
| Colorado Avalanche | 5-5 | 59.39% | 0.55 | The highest SOS in the league. Colorado’s been punching with heavyweights and holding their own. Expect a surge once the schedule softens. |
| San Jose Sharks | 2-7 | 58.46% | 0.40 | The record matches expectations — too much firepower against them, not enough depth to hang. Stay away until the schedule lightens. |
🟦 Takeaway: These clubs are the ones oddsmakers may undervalue short-term. Don’t judge them by win-loss alone — they’ve been skating through fire.
⚖️ Middle Tier: The Market’s Measuring Stick (SOS 47–54%)
This group represents the NHL’s “true north” — average SOS slates that reveal who they really are. This is where you find value when teams overperform or underperform expectations.
| Team | W-L | SOS% | PR | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 4-4 | 53.89% | 0.52 | Classic middle-tier grinder. 50/50 team facing 50/50 competition. |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 4-4 | 52.71% | 0.51 | Balanced start, balanced schedule — a true “see-what-you-get” team. |
| Seattle Kraken | 5-4 | 54.20% | 0.55 | Tough enough slate to legitimize their winning record. The system likes them as a quiet overachiever. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 6-2 | 51.53% | 0.63 | Not just strong — efficient. Carolina’s Power Rating ranks near elite, even with above-average opposition. |
| Dallas Stars | 5-4 | 48.80% | 0.52 | Played good teams, managed their load. Typical Stars — steady and tough to fade. |
| Boston Bruins | 4-6 | 52.44% | 0.46 | Slightly inflated SOS, but the issue is inconsistency. They’re battling themselves more than the schedule. |
🟩 Takeaway: These are “truth-tellers” — neither schedule-inflated nor artificially suppressed. Bettors can trust their Power Ratings as fair reflections of current form.
🧊 Bottom Tier: The Soft-Schedule Standouts (SOS below 45%)
Here’s where things get interesting — strong records but weak SOS. Bettors beware: these teams might look dominant, but the Raymond Report warns of regression when they finally meet resistance.
| Team | W-L | SOS% | PR | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Hockey Club | 8-2 | 40.08% | 0.60 | Fantastic start, but SOS is cupcake city. Expect volatility when the travel picks up and elite teams come calling. |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 5-4 | 39.57% | 0.48 | Slightly overvalued early — weak opposition so far, and PR reflects it. Proceed with caution. |
| New Jersey Devils | 8-1 | 43.89% | 0.66 | Dominant start, but SOS suggests they haven’t hit adversity yet. They’re legit — but haven’t been tested by the big dogs. |
| Montreal Canadiens | 7-3 | 43.56% | 0.57 | Hot out of the gate, but the soft schedule will tighten soon. Still, PR shows they’re earning it. |
| Washington Capitals | 6-3 | 42.59% | 0.55 | Similar to Montreal — solid wins, but a light schedule. The test phase is coming. |
🟥 Takeaway: Be careful chasing these early win streaks. Once the travel ramps up and the powerhouses appear, their numbers may correct hard.
📊 Raymond Report Summary
- Highest SOS: Colorado (59.39%), San Jose (58.46%), Tampa Bay (56.30%)
- Lowest SOS: Vegas (39.57%), Utah (40.08%), Washington (42.59%)
- Top Power Ratings: New Jersey (0.66), Carolina (0.63), Utah (0.60)
- Bottom Power Ratings: Minnesota (0.41), Calgary (0.38), NY Rangers (0.39)
🏒 Final Thoughts
After three weeks, the NHL’s landscape is taking shape — but the smart bettors are already looking beyond win-loss columns. Strength of Schedule tells us which teams are climbing the mountain and which are coasting down the bunny hill.
In the stock market of sports betting, the Raymond Report SOS Ratings are your insider trading tip — 100% legal, and 100% data-driven.
