Power Rankings

TWC NHL Power Rankings 2021–22: Week 6

For the first time this season, we have a recurring number one team at the top of the TWC NHL Power Rankings. Some familiar faces also popped up at the top of our list and some welcomed surprises as well. Six weeks in and we finally have a week where a move of only five spots is considered to be the highest. Let the consistency continue!

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 5 NHL Power Rankings

RankChangeTeamTeam NameLast WeekRecordTWCScore
1
Carolina Hurricanes3-0-014-2-0844.7
2+1
Florida Panthers3-0-013-2-3794.6
3-1
Edmonton Oilers2-1-013-4-0774.9
4+2
Calgary Flames3-0-111-3-5772
5+2
Toronto Maple Leafs3-1-013-6-1760.6
6+2
Tampa Bay Lightning3-1-010-4-3747.5
7-3
Washington Capitals2-1-111-3-5745.3
8+4
New York Rangers2-1-011-4-3723.8
9
Winnipeg Jets1-1-19-4-4722.8
10-5
Minnesota Wild1-2-111-6-1720.1
11-1
Anaheim Ducks1-1-010-5-3717.6
12+5
Colorado Avalanche2-0-08-5-1713.2
13-2
Boston Bruins1-1-09-6-0708.8
14
New Jersey Devils1-1-08-5-3698.4
15-2
St Louis Blues1-2-09-6-2689.1
16+2
Columbus Blue Jackets2-1-09-6-0686.9
17+2
Vegas Golden Knights2-1-011-7-0681.6
18+4
Pittsburgh Penguins2-1-07-6-4678.5
19-4
Los Angeles Kings0-2-18-7-3671.7
20-4
Nashville Predators0-2-09-7-1655.5
21-1
Philadelphia Flyers1-1-18-5-3654.6
22+3
Dallas Stars2-1-07-7-2649.6
23-2
San Jose Sharks1-2-08-8-1642.1
24
Detroit Red Wings0-3-18-9-3595.3
25+1
Buffalo Sabres1-2-07-8-2584.7
26-3
New York Islanders0-4-05-8-2573.1
27+2
Chicago Blackhawks2-1-06-10-2572.6
28-1
Vancouver Canucks1-2-06-11-2571.1
29-1
Seattle Kraken1-2-05-12-1568.6
30
Montreal Canadiens1-2-05-13-2536.2
31
Ottawa Senators0-0-04-10-1534.8
32
Arizona Coyotes3-0-14-13-2476.5

The Carolina Hurricanes retained the top spot in Week 6 of the TWC NHL Power Rankings, thanks to a perfect 3–0–0 week. The team is on a four-game win streak and have only suffered two regulation losses this season. This pts them at a league-leading fourteen wins. The team is second in CF%, xGF%, and SV% in the league and frankly show no signs of slowing down.

The Florida Panthers also used a 3–0–0 week to jump back into the second position in our rankings. The team’s three-game win streak—combined with their perfect 10–0–0 record at home—has the Panthers as the top team in the Atlantic Division. They haven’t been as hot as they were to start the season, but are using their strong record and a third overall CF% in the league to solidify their spot near the top.

The Battle of Alberta continues in the Pacific Division and on the TWC NHL Power Rankings. The Edmonton Oilers fell a single spot, while the Calgary Flames jumped two spots to rank them third and fourth this week, respectively. The Flames have yet to jump over the Oilers in the TWC rankings this season, but currently are ranked ahead of the Oilers in the standings, albeit by one point with the Oilers holding a game in hand.

The best way to break down this battle is that the Oilers record is better, allowing their winning percentage to push them ahead of the Flames. That being said, out of all of the other categories measured, the Flames are ahead of the Oilers in every regard, including a first place SV% thanks to Jacob Markstrom and Daniel Vladar. The Oilers simply use a legendary and deafening offence to snuff out teams, while the Flames don’t let their opponents generate as much offence as them. Will be fascinating to watch these two teams the rest of the season. 

Rounding out the top five, the Toronto Maple Leafs jumped two spots after going 3–1–0 last week. The Leafs are 8–2–0 in their last ten and have won games in quite a comfortable fashion. Aside from their Saturday night loss to Pittsburgh—which they were never really out of—the Leafs are putting together a full sixty minutes each night they take the ice. Dare we say a much more improved team this season comparatively? 

The biggest movers and shakers this week were the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. The Wild went 1–2–1 to fall five spots to the tenth position, while the Avalanche went the opposite direction, up five to twelfth. The Wild were simply subject to a number of hotter teams passing them up the charts, including the Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers.

Minnesota still remains one point up on the Jets for first in the Central. The Avalanche on the other hand just had two games last week—but won both of them. They are slowly digging themselves out of the hole they created to start the season, but luckily have a vast number of games in hand on the rest of the central. 

In more optimistic news, the Arizona Coyotes went 3–0–1 last week which by far was their best stretch of the season. Unfortunately, it was still not enough to push them past the stagnant Ottawa Senators who didn’t play last week due to COVID, and therefore still find themselves in last place this week.

Other notables from the past week: 

  • The Washington Capitals, although only going 2–1–1 last week, fell three spots to the seventh spot. It’s tough sledding at the top when even a decent week can’t keep pace with the scorching teams at the top.
  • Funny enough, the Rangers who went 2–1–0 last week, ended up gaining four spots to sit just behind the Capitals. Keep in mind, recency does play into our model, but the Rangers have suffered one less overall loss at this point, which is why the teams are so close this week. 
  • The Nashville Predators fell four spots last week after going 0–2–0. The Preds are still 6–3–1 in their last ten games, but find themselves losing pace with the top of the Central.
  • Finally, a tough week for the New York Islanders. A 0–3–0 record, including two losses to open up their new arena, and a sweep of COVID through their locker room. The Islanders are dead last in the Metropolitan Division, which I’m sure no one saw coming this year.

Past Power Rankings

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Check here for how teams have done over past weeks and stay tuned for upcoming power rankings.

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