5 NHL teams that will surprise in 2026-2027

A Yahoo Sports article published on August 3, 2026, by Vin Santoro identifies five NHL teams expected to outperform expectations in the 2026-2027 season. The piece highlights teams that made significant offseason moves to improve their Stanley Cup chances, with the Washington Capitals mentioned as one example. The article suggests these clubs could surprise fans who doubted their potential heading into the upcoming campaign.