After an eventful seventh week of NHL action, it’s time to revisit the TWC Power Rankings. With every team now about 20 games into their schedule, things have stabilized somewhat with the league reaching its quarter mark. However, there have been some big changes nonetheless, including a new top team.
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. This year we have slightly altered the weightings of the statistical categories, but also re-worked the 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 7 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | +2 |
 |
Los Angeles Kings | 3-0-0 | 13-3-3 | 653.7 |
| 2 | – |
 |
New York Rangers | 3-1-0 | 15-3-1 | 633.8 |
| 3 | -2 |
 |
Boston Bruins | 1-2-1 | 14-3-3 | 624.1 |
| 4 | – |
 |
Dallas Stars | 1-1-1 | 12-5-2 | 610.3 |
| 5 | +2 |
 |
Colorado Avalanche | 3-1-0 | 14-6-0 | 608.8 |
| 6 | -1 |
 |
Vegas Golden Knights | 1-1-0 | 14-5-2 | 607.8 |
| 7 | -1 |
 |
Florida Panthers | 1-2-0 | 12-7-1 | 591.5 |
| 8 | +3 |
 |
Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1-0 | 12-8-0 | 576.9 |
| 9 | -1 |
 |
Vancouver Canucks | 2-2-0 | 14-7-1 | 576.3 |
| 10 | – |
 |
Winnipeg Jets | 2-1-0 | 12-6-2 | 569.4 |
| 11 | -2 |
 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 0-1-1 | 10-6-3 | 562 |
| 12 | +4 |
 |
Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-0-1 | 10-6-5 | 561.4 |
| 13 | -1 |
 |
Washington Capitals | 1-1-0 | 10-5-2 | 555.3 |
| 14 | +4 |
 |
Detroit Red Wings | 3-0-0 | 11-6-3 | 545.3 |
| 15 | -2 |
 |
New Jersey Devils | 1-2-0 | 9-9-1 | 542.1 |
| 16 | -2 |
 |
Philadelphia Flyers | 1-2-0 | 11-9-1 | 538.7 |
| 17 | -2 |
 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-2-0 | 10-10-0 | 529.8 |
| 18 | +9 |
 |
Nashville Predators | 4-0-0 | 10-10-0 | 528.5 |
| 19 | -2 |
 |
St Louis Blues | 2-1-0 | 11-8-1 | 528.2 |
| 20 | +1 |
 |
New York Islanders | 2-0-1 | 8-6-6 | 517 |
| 21 | -2 |
 |
Ottawa Senators | 0-1-0 | 8-8-0 | 507.2 |
| 22 | – |
 |
Seattle Kraken | 1-1-1 | 8-9-5 | 500.9 |
| 23 | -3 |
 |
Arizona Coyotes | 1-2-0 | 9-9-2 | 495.8 |
| 24 | -1 |
 |
Calgary Flames | 2-2-0 | 8-10-3 | 493.3 |
| 25 | +3 |
 |
Edmonton Oilers | 2-2-0 | 7-12-1 | 486.8 |
| 26 | +3 |
 |
Montreal Canadiens | 2-1-0 | 9-10-2 | 481.2 |
| 27 | -1 |
 |
Buffalo Sabres | 1-1-1 | 9-10-2 | 478 |
| 28 | -3 |
 |
Minnesota Wild | 0-2-0 | 5-10-4 | 464.8 |
| 29 | -5 |
 |
Anaheim Ducks | 0-3-0 | 9-12-0 | 460.8 |
| 30 | – |
 |
Columbus Blue Jackets | 2-1-0 | 6-12-4 | 443.4 |
| 31 | – |
 |
Chicago Blackhawks | 1-2-0 | 6-13-0 | 399.8 |
| 32 | – |
 |
San Jose Sharks | 1-2-1 | 4-15-2 | 354.6 |
The Los Angeles Kings put up an impressive three wins and no losses this week, enough to catapult them over the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers for the top spot in the league. Their record speaks for itself but is also backed up by the underlying metrics.
They are top five in every category considered by the model except save percentage, which they are seventh in. Entering the season, goaltending was one of the few question marks on this Kings roster, but so far Cam Talbot has exceeded expectations, and the rest of the team is even better than last season. It looks like we may be seeing the Kings at the top of the rankings quite a bit this season.
Meanwhile, the former top-dog Bruins had a tough week, losing three and winning once. They lead the league in save percentage, but it’s masking some pretty average possession and scoring chance numbers. Bruins fans should expect some regression from the top of the rankings in the coming weeks.
The Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a similar position. Despite average underlying numbers, elite goaltending and star power are carrying the team. It will be interesting to see if their early season success can last.
Further down the list, the Nashville Predators are this week’s big winner, jumping up nine places with an undefeated record on the week. Surprisingly, they made this jump despite fairly pedestrian numbers from star goalie Juuse Saros. Perhaps even more surprisingly after their roster tear-down, they are also top ten in scoring chance share and high-danger Corsi. Despite fairly low expectations coming into the year, the Predators do not look to be an easy out for opponents this season.
Finally, a look at the bottom of the pack. Things are stable here, and not surprisingly. The Blackhawks and Sharks are doing exactly as expected, as they set their sights on additional top draft picks. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets are also stuck at the bottom, despite a winning record on the week.
The Blue Jackets’ possession and chance stats are well above their peers in the bottom three, but are still in the bottom third of the league. If any of these teams are to pull it together this season, expect it to be the Johnny Gaudreau-led Blue Jackets.
Be sure to check back in next week to see if your team is rising or falling, as big swings are likely after a relatively stable week.
Past 2023–24 Power Rankings
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