In the last TWC NHL Power Rankings before the trade deadline, we take a look at playoff battles. Rosters will essentially be finalized for the playoffs in just a few days, making it the ideal time to check in on your team’s power score. Should your team be adding at the deadline? The Power Rankings can help determine that.
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 20 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | – |
 |
Florida Panthers | 3-0-0 | 41-16-4 | 802.5 |
| 2 | +6 |
 |
Edmonton Oilers | 4-0-0 | 37-20-2 | 756.2 |
| 3 | +1 |
 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-1-0 | 35-17-8 | 755.9 |
| 4 | -1 |
 |
Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1-0 | 36-19-6 | 749.4 |
| 5 | -3 |
 |
New York Rangers | 1-0-1 | 40-17-4 | 748 |
| 6 | – |
 |
Winnipeg Jets | 3-1-0 | 39-16-5 | 741.4 |
| 7 | -2 |
 |
Dallas Stars | 2-1-1 | 37-17-9 | 739.4 |
| 8 | +3 |
 |
Colorado Avalanche | 2-1-0 | 37-20-5 | 717.7 |
| 9 | – |
 |
Vancouver Canucks | 1-1-1 | 39-17-7 | 717 |
| 10 | – |
 |
Boston Bruins | 1-1-1 | 35-13-14 | 716.5 |
| 11 | +3 |
 |
Nashville Predators | 3-0-0 | 35-25-2 | 712 |
| 12 | -5 |
 |
Los Angeles Kings | 2-2-0 | 31-19-10 | 710.2 |
| 13 | +4 |
 |
Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-1-1 | 33-24-6 | 679.4 |
| 14 | -1 |
 |
Philadelphia Flyers | 2-1-0 | 32-23-7 | 673.1 |
| 15 | +6 |
 |
Calgary Flames | 2-0-0 | 30-25-5 | 667.2 |
| 16 | +7 |
 |
Seattle Kraken | 2-1-0 | 26-23-11 | 667.1 |
| 17 | +1 |
 |
New Jersey Devils | 1-2-0 | 30-27-4 | 665.3 |
| 18 | -3 |
 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-3-0 | 27-24-8 | 664.9 |
| 19 | +6 |
 |
New York Islanders | 3-0-0 | 26-20-14 | 662.1 |
| 20 | -4 |
 |
Detroit Red Wings | 1-2-0 | 33-22-6 | 661.3 |
| 21 | +1 |
 |
Washington Capitals | 2-2-0 | 28-23-9 | 660.7 |
| 22 | -10 |
 |
Minnesota Wild | 1-3-0 | 29-27-6 | 658.4 |
| 23 | -4 |
 |
Vegas Golden Knights | 1-2-0 | 33-21-7 | 648.1 |
| 24 | – |
 |
Buffalo Sabres | 2-2-0 | 29-29-4 | 647.6 |
| 25 | +1 |
 |
St Louis Blues | 1-1-1 | 31-26-3 | 620.4 |
| 26 | -6 |
 |
Ottawa Senators | 0-4-0 | 25-31-3 | 614.5 |
| 27 | – |
 |
Columbus Blue Jackets | 1-2-0 | 20-30-10 | 588.3 |
| 28 | – |
 |
Montreal Canadiens | 1-0-2 | 23-28-10 | 583.2 |
| 29 | – |
 |
Arizona Coyotes | 2-2-0 | 25-31-5 | 580.1 |
| 30 | – |
 |
Anaheim Ducks | 2-1-0 | 22-36-3 | 541.6 |
| 31 | +1 |
 |
Chicago Blackhawks | 0-2-0 | 15-41-5 | 482.8 |
| 32 | -1 |
 |
San Jose Sharks | 0-3-1 | 15-39-6 | 470.6 |
The top and bottom of the league have been set for months now. The mushy middle, however, will keep battling till the bitter end. Teams like the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues in the West all still have a chance.
The East is even more crowded, with a handful of teams—including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Islanders—all looking to secure their spot.
Starting in the West, the Nashville Predators are on an incredible win streak, having won eight in a row. The wins are no fluke either, as the Preds are top-ten in both possession and chance creation, important variables in team success.
Most important, however, is Juuse Saros. The star goalie is playing well, helping launch the team’s success. Considering the underlying metrics, expect the Preds to keep rolling and find their way into the playoffs.
Their main competitor for the second wild card spot is arguably the Calgary Flames. The Flames are also on an impressive win streak and have also been buoyed by their own star goaltender.
The metrics considered by this model certainly favour the Preds over the Flames, who are worse in possession and chance creation. This reality is reflected in the Flames’ much lower TWC score, despite a similar win streak. It’s likely the Preds win this battle.
In the other conference, it’s a wide-open race. The former juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning are currently in a playoff spot but have played more games than their main competition. With middling underlying metrics, it will take a herculean effort from the star players to keep their spot. That said, they certainly have the stars who can make it happen.
Their record and relative metrics have them well ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, Islanders, Penguins, and Washington Capitals in these rankings. While the race is on in the east, the Lightning seem poised to come out on top.
While this is how things stand now, make sure to check in after the deadline to see how things have shaken down once rosters have been set for the last push! Things can still change dramatically between now and April.
Past 2023–24 Power Rankings
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19
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