Welcome back to the TWC Power Rankings!
Here at TWC, we use a statistical model to effectively rank teams on a week to week basis. The model takes into effect winning percentages, CF%, SCF%, HDCF% as well as SV%. Each statistical category is weighed and scored differently, giving each team a unique TWC Score that determines their ranking after each week. The formula puts the highest emphasis on winning percentages over other statistics. All numbers are taken in all situations, to incorporate special teams into the fray.
We got some excellent feedback over the course of last season from our readers as to how we could improve this model moving forward. We have slightly altered the weightings of the statistical categories, bust also added a large recency component to make sure that each week the teams that are riding hot streaks are more appropriately demonstrated in the rankings.
Don’t like where your team is ranked? Unfortunately, they will have to turn it around on the ice, as we take zero personal opinions into effect.
Have any suggestions for the TWC Power Rankings for next season? Leave us a comment and let us know!
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | – |  | Washington Capitals | 2-1-0 | 26-6-5 | 815.5 |
| 2 | +6 |  | St Louis Blues | 3-0-0 | 23-8-6 | 775.1 |
| 3 | -1 |  | New York Islanders | 1-1-1 | 23-8-3 | 763.6 |
| 4 | +1 |  | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2-1-0 | 21-11-4 | 762.3 |
| 5 | -1 |  | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1-0 | 22-12-2 | 758.5 |
| 6 | +1 |  | Boston Bruins | 0-0-3 | 21-7-9 | 757.7 |
| 7 | +11 |  | Philadelphia Flyers | 3-0-0 | 20-11-5 | 754.1 |
| 8 | +2 |  | Vegas Golden Knights | 2-0-1 | 20-13-6 | 733.1 |
| 9 | +8 |  | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3-0-0 | 19-14-4 | 724.8 |
| 10 | +9 |  | Nashville Predators | 3-0-1 | 17-12-6 | 723.1 |
| 11 | +16 |  | Florida Panthers | 3-0-0 | 18-12-5 | 722.8 |
| 12 | -9 |  | Colorado Avalanche | 1-3-0 | 22-11-3 | 720.7 |
| 13 | +3 |  | Arizona Coyotes | 2-1-0 | 21-13-4 | 712.3 |
| 14 | +9 |  | Columbus Blue Jackets | 4-0-0 | 16-14-6 | 706.4 |
| 15 | -1 |  | Montreal Canadiens | 2-1-0 | 17-13-6 | 705.9 |
| 16 | -3 |  | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-1-1 | 17-13-4 | 700.3 |
| 17 | -11 |  | Dallas Stars | 1-3-0 | 20-14-4 | 693.4 |
| 18 | -6 |  | Calgary Flames | 1-1-1 | 19-14-5 | 685.9 |
| 19 | +2 |  | Edmonton Oilers | 2-2-0 | 20-15-4 | 682.6 |
| 20 | -11 |  | Winnipeg Jets | 1-2-0 | 21-13-2 | 681.6 |
| 21 | +4 |  | Vancouver Canucks | 2-1-0 | 18-15-4 | 675.4 |
| 22 | -7 |  | Minnesota Wild | 1-2-0 | 17-15-5 | 669.5 |
| 23 | -12 |  | Buffalo Sabres | 1-2-0 | 17-13-7 | 659.5 |
| 24 | – |  | New York Rangers | 1-2-0 | 17-14-4 | 638.2 |
| 25 | +4 |  | Chicago Blackhawks | 2-1-0 | 15-16-6 | 634.9 |
| 26 | -4 |  | Los Angeles Kings | 1-1-1 | 15-19-4 | 634.2 |
| 27 | -1 |  | Ottawa Senators | 1-1-2 | 15-18-4 | 624.8 |
| 28 | -8 |  | Anaheim Ducks | 1-3-0 | 15-18-4 | 618 |
| 29 | -1 |  | San Jose Sharks | 0-3-0 | 16-20-2 | 583.6 |
| 30 | – |  | New Jersey Devils | 1-2-0 | 11-19-5 | 575.8 |
| 31 | – |  | Detroit Red Wings | 0-3-0 | 9-26-3 | 474 |
Power Ranking Notables
The holiday season has finally arrived, which means the 2019-20 NHL season is nearly halfway completed. Crazy to see where the time fly by, but there still are a ton of games left this campaign to turn things around. As to not distract from your respective holiday celebrations, a short and sweet recap of the past week in the TWC Power Rankings.
The Washington Capitals remain the number one squad in the league by a wide margin. In an extremely tough Metropolitan Division, the Capitals have put themselves above the rest thanks to the likes of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues have overcome some of their analytics numbers to finally have their place in the standings reflected in our rankings. There was tons of discourse early in the season that the Blues weren’t getting their due, but thankfully their underlying numbers are beginning to come around. With 3-0-0 week, they find themselves up the charts all the way to second place.
The New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Carolina Hurricanes all shuffled places in the top five, ranking third, fourth, and fifth respectively. Did we mention that the Metropolitan Division was a nightmare already?
Moving down the list, the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nashville Predators all had big weeks on paper, with a combined 9-0-1 record. All three teams made significant jumps up our rankings and into the top 10. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, who with a combined 2-6-0 record found themselves falling out of that top ten slot.
The Columbus Blue Jackets soared, while the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames took a step back. A few other teams had notable weeks, both positive and negative, but but are now most likely settling in for the holiday freeze.
Thanks to everyone for their support so far this season. Happy Holidays!
Biggest Gainer
Florida Panthers (+16)
I guess it pays to be the biggest loser sometimes, as they often find a way to rebound nicely. The Florida Panthers found themselves in a nosedive last week, dropping 15 spots, but this week they all but made up for that difference after going 3-0-0. A huge reason for this? Noel Acciari‘s back-to-back hat tricks. This guy is easily on the nice list this holiday season.
Biggest Loser
Buffalo Sabres (-12)
Unfortunately, the opposite trend can be seen for the biggest gainers. After moving up 10 spots last week, the Buffalo Sabres headed in the opposite direction over the past seven days. After missing Jack Eichel, the Sabres went a respectable 1-2-0, but with every team being so close to each other in both winning percentage and advanced stats, unfortunately that record cost them. Once the team is back to full strength, expect another bounce back week.
What are your thoughts? Are you surprised where your team landed this week? Let us know at @wincolumnblog.
All data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
TWC Power Rankings:
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