After what feels like an eternity, the TWC NHL Power Rankings are back. Week 11 was a wash, and therefore was not covered as there were only a couple of games played over that time frame. Those games rolled over into Week 12 for the power rankings model instead now that almost all of the teams are back in action. With more games played than not, the rankings have returned with some new and returning faces across the board.
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 12 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | – |  | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-0-0 | 23-7-1 | 799.1 |
| 2 | +1 |  | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1-0-0 | 21-8-2 | 776.2 |
| 3 | +1 |  | Florida Panthers | 3-0-0 | 21-7-4 | 774.3 |
| 4 | +1 |  | Calgary Flames | 2-0-0 | 17-7-6 | 759.3 |
| 5 | -3 |  | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-2-1 | 21-8-5 | 757.7 |
| 6 | – |  | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-0-0 | 18-8-5 | 750.3 |
| 7 | – |  | Colorado Avalanche | 1-0-0 | 18-8-2 | 746.8 |
| 8 | – |  | Washington Capitals | 2-0-1 | 20-6-8 | 744.1 |
| 9 | +1 |  | New York Rangers | 2-1-0 | 21-8-4 | 725 |
| 10 | +5 |  | Boston Bruins | 2-0-0 | 16-10-2 | 718.3 |
| 11 | – |  | Nashville Predators | 1-1-1 | 20-11-2 | 715.5 |
| 12 | -3 |  | Minnesota Wild | 0-2-0 | 19-10-2 | 713.5 |
| 13 | -1 |  | Vegas Golden Knights | 2-1-1 | 22-12-1 | 711 |
| 14 | +2 |  | St Louis Blues | 2-0-0 | 19-9-5 | 706.8 |
| 15 | +2 |  | Dallas Stars | 1-0-0 | 15-12-2 | 688 |
| 16 | -2 |  | Edmonton Oilers | 0-1-2 | 18-12-2 | 687.6 |
| 17 | +2 |  | Los Angeles Kings | 2-1-0 | 16-12-5 | 680.9 |
| 18 | -5 |  | Anaheim Ducks | 0-2-1 | 17-11-7 | 680 |
| 19 | -1 |  | Winnipeg Jets | 1-0-0 | 15-11-5 | 677.8 |
| 20 | – |  | San Jose Sharks | 2-1-0 | 17-15-1 | 656.4 |
| 21 | +1 |  | Vancouver Canucks | 2-0-1 | 16-15-3 | 646.3 |
| 22 | +2 |  | New Jersey Devils | 3-0-0 | 13-15-5 | 643.3 |
| 23 | -2 |  | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1-1-0 | 15-14-1 | 627.4 |
| 24 | +3 |  | New York Islanders | 2-0-0 | 10-12-6 | 610.8 |
| 25 | -2 |  | Detroit Red Wings | 0-2-0 | 15-15-3 | 609.5 |
| 26 | -1 |  | Philadelphia Flyers | 1-1-1 | 13-13-6 | 604.6 |
| 27 | -1 |  | Chicago Blackhawks | 0-2-0 | 11-17-4 | 577.8 |
| 28 | – |  | Seattle Kraken | 0-2-1 | 10-19-4 | 570.3 |
| 29 | – |  | Buffalo Sabres | 0-2-1 | 10-17-6 | 554 |
| 30 | – |  | Ottawa Senators | 0-1-0 | 9-18-2 | 532.7 |
| 31 | – |  | Montreal Canadiens | 0-2-1 | 7-23-4 | 501.3 |
| 32 | – |  | Arizona Coyotes | 0-0-1 | 6-21-3 | 476 |
The Carolina Hurricanes retain the number one position after going 2–0–0 over the past two weeks. The team continues to lead the NHL in point percentage and are the league leaders in CF%, and ranked top five across most of the other categories measured. The Canes simply cannot be stopped.
Rounding out the top five are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, and Tampa Bay Lightning. That means there were no new teams added to the top five over the last two weeks, but the Tampa Bay Lightning were the unfortunate ones dropping three positions. A 2–2–1 record isn’t atrocious, but the combined 6-0-0 of the other three teams makes it hard to retain a top spot unless you also remain undefeated.
The team to watch this week? The Calgary Flames. Their road trip leads them into three straight games against the Lightning, Panthers, and Hurricanes. That is the definition of a tough stretch.
Moving down the list, the Boston Bruins were the biggest movers the past week, jumping five spots into the final spot of the top ten. A 2–0–0 record isn’t breaking any records, but the team is slowly making up ground in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Now sitting in the final wild card position, the Bruins have a lot more games to go but finally look to be turning a bit of a corner.
A team that caught our eyes on this edition of the TWC NHL Power Rankings was the Minnesota Wild. The team was winless, going 0–2–0, but still remains in third position in the Central Division just three points behind the St. Louis Blues. The main reason behind this is that the Wild are quite in the middle of the pack when it comes to advanced numbers. Out of the categories measured, the team is ranked between the 15th and 19th positions. Nothing to write home about by any means, but shows just how much a record doesn’t influence their position here.
The biggest loser this past week were the Anaheim Ducks. The team went 0–2–1 and although they sit in second place in the Pacific Division, in terms of point percentage they are holding on to fourth place. It’s been a rollercoaster year for the team, going on incredibles hot and cold streaks, so it’s still a little unclear which version of the team represents the real Ducks.
Other notables from this week’s rankings:
- The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to roll, now on an eight-game winning streak. Don’t be surprised to see them in the top five sometime soon.
- The Vancouver Canucks finally lost a game under Bruce Boudreau, but are still 8–1–1 in their last ten games. Playoffs are still a long shot, but the quality of hockey in the Pacific Division is heating up.
- The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils took a step in the right direction, going a combined 5–0–0. It’s quite the uphill battle, but they still have lots of time left to make some noise.
Past Power Rankings
Check here for how teams have done over past weeks and stay tuned for upcoming power rankings.
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