One week until the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline arrives and there are a handful of teams that need to figure things out. As you’ll see in this week’s TWC NHL Power Rankings, some teams are sliding, some contenders may look more like pretenders, and some teams are peaking at the right time. Which teams may end up making the biggest deals?
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 22 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | +2 |  | Florida Panthers | 3-0-1 | 40-13-6 | 783 |
| 2 | – |  | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1-0 | 41-13-5 | 782.2 |
| 3 | -2 |  | Colorado Avalanche | 2-2-0 | 42-13-5 | 772.4 |
| 4 | +1 |  | Calgary Flames | 3-2-0 | 36-16-7 | 763.1 |
| 5 | -1 |  | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-3-0 | 38-15-6 | 758.5 |
| 6 | – |  | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-1-1 | 37-17-5 | 758 |
| 7 | – |  | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2-1-0 | 36-15-9 | 747.5 |
| 8 | – |  | Boston Bruins | 2-0-1 | 36-18-5 | 736.9 |
| 9 | +1 |  | Los Angeles Kings | 2-1-1 | 33-20-8 | 715.6 |
| 10 | -1 |  | New York Rangers | 1-2-0 | 37-17-5 | 707.5 |
| 11 | +1 |  | Minnesota Wild | 2-1-1 | 34-20-4 | 707.2 |
| 12 | -1 |  | Dallas Stars | 0-2-0 | 32-22-3 | 701.7 |
| 13 | – |  | St Louis Blues | 2-1-1 | 34-17-8 | 700 |
| 14 | – |  | Washington Capitals | 2-0-1 | 32-18-10 | 697.6 |
| 15 | +1 |  | Nashville Predators | 3-1-0 | 34-21-4 | 690.9 |
| 16 | +1 |  | Edmonton Oilers | 2-1-0 | 32-23-4 | 688.6 |
| 17 | -2 |  | Vegas Golden Knights | 0-4-0 | 32-25-4 | 670.6 |
| 18 | +1 |  | Winnipeg Jets | 3-1-0 | 27-23-10 | 655.4 |
| 19 | -1 |  | Vancouver Canucks | 1-1-1 | 29-24-7 | 654.3 |
| 20 | +1 |  | New York Islanders | 3-1-0 | 24-24-8 | 638.1 |
| 21 | +1 |  | San Jose Sharks | 2-0-0 | 26-25-7 | 636.7 |
| 22 | -2 |  | Anaheim Ducks | 0-3-1 | 27-25-10 | 635.1 |
| 23 | +1 |  | New Jersey Devils | 2-1-0 | 22-32-5 | 621.4 |
| 24 | -1 |  | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2-2-0 | 30-27-3 | 619.2 |
| 25 | – |  | Detroit Red Wings | 0-2-1 | 24-28-7 | 596.7 |
| 26 | – |  | Chicago Blackhawks | 2-1-0 | 22-30-8 | 591.9 |
| 27 | +1 |  | Ottawa Senators | 2-1-0 | 21-32-5 | 576.8 |
| 28 | -1 |  | Philadelphia Flyers | 1-2-1 | 18-30-11 | 565.5 |
| 29 | +1 |  | Buffalo Sabres | 2-1-0 | 20-32-8 | 560 |
| 30 | -1 |  | Seattle Kraken | 1-1-1 | 18-37-6 | 558.9 |
| 31 | – |  | Montreal Canadiens | 1-1-1 | 16-35-8 | 532.8 |
| 32 | – |  | Arizona Coyotes | 2-1-0 | 18-36-4 | 522.2 |
Despite a somewhat controversial shootout loss last night, the Florida Panthers 3–0–1 week allowed them to catapult up two spots back into the number one position. The Panthers have been teetering around the number two and three spots for a few weeks now, so despite their small stretch of adversity they have reclaimed their spot as the top team in our rankings.
The Carolina Hurricanes almost took the top spot, but a mere 0.8 TWCScore caused them to remain in the second overall position. Still tied for first in the NHL in terms of points, it’s going to be a tight battle down the stretch for both teams.
Our former number one overall team, the Colorado Avalanche, took a bit of a tumble going from first to third after a 2–2–0 week. Had it not been for their win over the scoring hot Calgary Flames, it could have been even further. They still are the kings of the Western Conference so a brief hiatus from the number one spot isn’t going to hurt them much.
Speaking of the Flames, the team played five games last week and went 3–2–0 but were able to climb one spot in the rankings to fourth. The team had played six games over the previous nine days and went 4–2–0, including wins against Colorado and the Tampa Bay Lightning. This team is undeniably good and are entering a much needed two day rest.
Rounding out the top five are the Lightning, who thankfully secured a win in Vancouver last night to go 1–3–0 on the week. This was the first time the Lightning had lost back-to-back games in regulation this season, but were similarly on a gruelling stretch like the Flames. They even had to fly in yesterday for their game against the Canucks. The dog days of March.
Moving down our list, the Los Angeles Kings continue to climb up the ranks claiming the ninth overall spot on our list. A 2–1–1 week keeps them within slight reach of the Flames for first in the Pacific, and just enough cushion right now over the Edmonton Oilers. One of the biggest surprises of the season, the Kings are a massive wild card entering the trade deadline. Contenders or pretenders?
Staying in the Pacific Division, our two other biggest losers this week were the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks. The Knights have been struggling as of late, suffering four straight regulation losses last week. Although they have Jack Eichel in their lineup, the team doesn’t look the same without Mark Stone. The Ducks on the other hand were such an intriguing team all season, but are well on the wrong side of the playoff race now. That being said, the Pacific Division is still somewhat open.
Other notables from this week’s rankings:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs went 2–1–1, but simply cannot stop any pucks. Do they make a move for a goaltender?
- The Winnipeg Jets had a 3–1–0 week, and are slowly climbing back into the playoff race. Can they overcome the gap or is it too late?
- The San Jose Sharks were the only undefeated team last week, going 2–0–0.
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 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21
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