Week 3 is in the books and there were a number of significant changes across the board in the TWC Power Rankings. A new number one team looks down at several significant fallers, it all leads to quite the interesting rankings this time around.
TWC Power Rankings explained
If you’re new to our power rankings, this is how it all works.
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, but 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. Without further ado, this week’s power rankings are below!
Week 3 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | +1 |  | Carolina Hurricanes | 4-0-0 | 8-0-0 | 912.1 |
| 2 | +2 |  | Florida Panthers | 3-0-1 | 8-0-1 | 861.2 |
| 3 | -2 |  | Edmonton Oilers | 1-1-0 | 6-1-0 | 833.9 |
| 4 | +9 |  | Calgary Flames | 4-0-0 | 6-1-1 | 829.4 |
| 5 | -2 |  | St Louis Blues | 2-1-0 | 6-1-0 | 806.8 |
| 6 | +3 |  | Washington Capitals | 2-0-1 | 5-0-3 | 801.8 |
| 7 | – |  | New Jersey Devils | 1-1-1 | 4-2-1 | 749.2 |
| 8 | +3 |  | New York Rangers | 2-1-0 | 6-2-1 | 746.2 |
| 9 | +3 |  | Buffalo Sabres | 2-1-0 | 5-2-1 | 727.1 |
| 10 | -2 |  | San Jose Sharks | 1-2-0 | 5-3-0 | 721.9 |
| 11 | -5 |  | Minnesota Wild | 1-2-0 | 5-3-0 | 714 |
| 12 | -2 |  | Boston Bruins | 1-2-0 | 4-3-0 | 703.2 |
| 13 | +4 |  | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-1-0 | 4-3-1 | 697.4 |
| 14 | +4 |  | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2-1-0 | 5-3-0 | 677.9 |
| 15 | +7 |  | Colorado Avalanche | 2-1-0 | 4-4-0 | 675.2 |
| 16 | +7 |  | Winnipeg Jets | 2-0-1 | 4-2-2 | 673.9 |
| 17 | -2 |  | Philadelphia Flyers | 2-1-0 | 4-2-1 | 668.9 |
| 18 | +3 |  | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-1-0 | 4-4-1 | 668.6 |
| 19 | -14 |  | Pittsburgh Penguins | 0-3-0 | 3-3-2 | 660.4 |
| 20 | +5 |  | Nashville Predators | 2-0-0 | 4-4-0 | 652.1 |
| 21 | -1 |  | New York Islanders | 0-0-1 | 3-2-2 | 635.9 |
| 22 | -3 |  | Detroit Red Wings | 1-1-1 | 4-3-2 | 620 |
| 23 | +6 |  | Vegas Golden Knights | 3-0-0 | 4-4-0 | 619.5 |
| 24 | -10 |  | Dallas Stars | 0-2-1 | 3-4-1 | 617.7 |
| 25 | +1 |  | Los Angeles Kings | 2-2-0 | 3-5-1 | 616 |
| 26 | +2 |  | Seattle Kraken | 2-1-0 | 3-5-1 | 608.2 |
| 27 | – |  | Anaheim Ducks | 1-1-2 | 3-4-3 | 601.1 |
| 28 | -4 |  | Ottawa Senators | 1-1-0 | 3-4-0 | 597.9 |
| 29 | -13 |  | Vancouver Canucks | 0-3-0 | 3-5-1 | 575.2 |
| 30 | – |  | Montreal Canadiens | 1-3-0 | 2-8-0 | 467.1 |
| 31 | – |  | Chicago Blackhawks | 0-2-1 | 0-7-2 | 447.9 |
| 32 | – |  | Arizona Coyotes | 0-4-0 | 0-8-1 | 377.4 |
The Carolina Hurricanes moved up one spot this week to claim the number one overall ranking. This should come as no surprise, as as the last undefeated team in the NHL, their winning percentage in our model is giving them the boost they needed to claim the top spot. Frederik Andersen is leading the charge in net for the team, while they are getting huge boosts up front from Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho. Those offseason subtractions to their roster sure don’t seem to be phasing the Canes at all.
Up two spots to the number two position are the Florida Panthers. Although they did suffer a shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, the team is still undefeated in regulation play. It will be fascinating to see how the team continues to play under Andrew Brunette after the fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks infestation resulted in Joel Quenneville resigning from his post as head coach. The Panthers’ top-six is deadly, and the return and resurgence of Aaron Ekblad has been just the boost the team needed.
When the rest of the teams in the top five are streaking, a 1–1–0 week from the Edmonton Oilers unfortunately costs them the top spot. That being said, they still round out the top three thanks to their current winning percentage and some underlying numbers that rank inside the upper third of the league.
For the second consecutive week, the Calgary Flames are the biggest mover yet again. From 27th, to 13th, to now 4th overall in our TWC Power Rankings, the Flames are on a meteoric rise. A perfect 4–0–0 week has propelled them into first place in the Western Conference. Jacob Markstrom has been simply phenomenal for the team, especially last week where he posted two consecutive shutouts. In his last four games he has three shutouts combined, and only one goal against. It’s not just the goaltending getting it done for the Flames, as Johnny Gaudreau and company continue to light the lamp up front. Sutter hockey is back and business and absolutely rolling to start the season.
Rounding out the top-five is the St. Louis Blues, who fell just two spots over the week. The Blues are an interesting team so far this season. Their SV% ranks fourth in the NHL, but across the other major categories measured their next highest position would be a 16th in xGF%. David Perron is having yet another All-Star calibre season, and despite the offseason rumours and injuries, Vladamir Tarasenko has returned to form as well. Their record has been stellar to this point, but i’d be interested in seeing where the Blues go from here.
The biggest loser this week, by a close margin, would be the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even the return of Sidney Crosby couldn’t stop the sliding Pens. An 0–3–0 week had them dropping 14 spots in this weeks rankings. Although steep, I think that this is a combination of being ranked 5th last week and other teams being much hotter. Of course expect the slide to continue if they can’t turn it around.
Other notables from the past seven days:
- Although not the biggest loser, the Vancouver Canucks slid 13 spots all the way down to 29th on our list. It’s been an absolute mixed bag from the Canucks this season. The stars aren’t aligning up front and that really appears to be cascading its way through the lineup. The team needs to figure it out fast.
- The Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets both climbed seven spots this past week to 15th and 16th overall, respectively. Two teams picked to be contenders at the start of the season got off to slower stars, but look to hopefully be turning the corner.
- The Dallas Stars went 0–2–1 last week, and dropped a significant 10 spots to 24th overall.
- Finally, the race is on between the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes to see who can register their first win of the season. Not sure I love either of their odds.
Past Power Rankings
Check here for how teams have done over past weeks and stay tuned for upcoming power rankings.
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