It was an extremely quiet week in the NHL, as the NHL All-Star break resulted in very few actual games taking place. That being said, there was still enough action in the first half to run our model and see where teams rank after 17 weeks of the 2021–22 season. Don’t be shocked by the lack of movement, as this week’s power rankings is meant to represent where all teams stood heading into the All-Star break.
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!
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Week 17 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | – |  | Carolina Hurricanes | 0-0-0 | 31-9-2 | 797 |
| 2 | – |  | Colorado Avalanche | 0-0-1 | 32-8-4 | 790.8 |
| 3 | +1 |  | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-0-0 | 29-10-3 | 786.6 |
| 4 | -1 |  | Florida Panthers | 1-1-0 | 32-10-5 | 781.7 |
| 5 | – |  | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-0-0 | 30-10-6 | 775.7 |
| 6 | – |  | Minnesota Wild | 1-0-0 | 28-10-3 | 755.6 |
| 7 | – |  | Pittsburgh Penguins | 0-0-1 | 27-11-8 | 749 |
| 8 | – |  | Calgary Flames | 2-0-0 | 23-13-6 | 737.6 |
| 9 | – |  | Boston Bruins | 1-0-0 | 26-14-3 | 728.2 |
| 10 | +2 |  | Nashville Predators | 1-0-0 | 28-14-4 | 711.9 |
| 11 | – |  | New York Rangers | 1-0-0 | 30-13-4 | 711.6 |
| 12 | -2 |  | Washington Capitals | 1-1-0 | 25-13-9 | 706.6 |
| 13 | – |  | Los Angeles Kings | 1-0-0 | 24-16-7 | 702.6 |
| 14 | +2 |  | Vegas Golden Knights | 1-0-0 | 27-16-3 | 700.9 |
| 15 | -1 |  | St Louis Blues | 0-0-0 | 26-13-5 | 697 |
| 16 | -1 |  | Dallas Stars | 0-1-0 | 23-18-2 | 688.5 |
| 17 | – |  | Edmonton Oilers | 1-0-1 | 23-16-3 | 686.5 |
| 18 | – |  | Anaheim Ducks | 0-0-1 | 23-16-9 | 660.2 |
| 19 | +1 |  | San Jose Sharks | 0-0-1 | 22-20-4 | 653.7 |
| 20 | -1 |  | Winnipeg Jets | 0-1-0 | 18-17-7 | 648.3 |
| 21 | – |  | Vancouver Canucks | 1-1-0 | 20-20-6 | 637.9 |
| 22 | – |  | New York Islanders | 1-1-0 | 16-17-6 | 629.5 |
| 23 | +2 |  | Detroit Red Wings | 1-1-0 | 20-21-6 | 608.7 |
| 24 | -1 |  | New Jersey Devils | 0-2-0 | 15-25-5 | 603.4 |
| 25 | -1 |  | Columbus Blue Jackets | 0-1-0 | 20-22-1 | 600.7 |
| 26 | – |  | Chicago Blackhawks | 0-2-0 | 16-23-7 | 587.3 |
| 27 | – |  | Seattle Kraken | 1-1-0 | 15-27-4 | 579.6 |
| 28 | +1 |  | Philadelphia Flyers | 1-0-0 | 15-22-8 | 576.7 |
| 29 | -1 |  | Ottawa Senators | 1-1-0 | 14-22-4 | 572.2 |
| 30 | – |  | Buffalo Sabres | 0-1-0 | 14-24-7 | 546.6 |
| 31 | – |  | Arizona Coyotes | 1-1-0 | 11-30-4 | 497.5 |
| 32 | – |  | Montreal Canadiens | 0-0-0 | 8-29-7 | 490.2 |
Out of the top nine teams from last week, only one minor change occurred with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers swapping positions at third and fourth. Toronto is currently on a five game win streak, in addition to being first in xGF%, fifth in CF%, second in SCF%, third in HDCF%, and ninth in SV%. This gave them the slight edge over the Panthers this week despite having the lower win percentage.
It wasn’t the exact same top ten though, with the Nashville Predators entering the fray at tenth overall. Nashville is currently second in the Central Division, but only has one stat in the top ten of the categories we measure: SV%. The Predators aren’t a bad team by any means, but their underlying numbers are behind the pack.
They have been an absolute surprise this season—even after making a number of moves to change their roster—and look to be a playoff lock. The only thing that would hold them back right now are games in hand, as St. Louis and Minnesota can both jump them if they win their games.
The Washington Capitals were the “biggest loser” this week, but no need to be concerned Caps fans. Down just two spots after a 1–1–0 week, it’s hardly anything to overreact to. Just a sign of the times this past week.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Detroit Red Wings also matched the Predators by rising two spots this week, which is good enough for the best jump.
Aside from some other small movers, a special shoutout to the Calgary Flames who went into the All-Star break first in CF% and SCF%, second in xGF% and HDCF% and rounded that out with the seventh best SV% as well to boot. The analytical darlings this season for sure.
Past Power Rankings
Check here for how teams have done over past weeks and stay tuned for upcoming power rankings. Note: Week 11 was skipped and combined with Week 12 due to a lack of games.
Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
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