It’s nearly time for playoffs in the NHL and the perfect time to evaluate which teams are true contenders. With the league’s top seven teams within a point of one another in the standings, using analytics-based power rankings is a good way to differentiate the elite from the very good.
Read on to see which teams are the true best of the best.
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 23 NHL Power Rankings
| Rank | Change | Team | Team Name | Last Week | Record | TWCScore |
| 1 | +1 |
 |
Colorado Avalanche | 3-0-0 | 46-20-5 | 789.2 |
| 2 | -1 |
 |
Carolina Hurricanes | 3-0-1 | 45-20-7 | 780.1 |
| 3 | +6 |
 |
Vancouver Canucks | 3-0-0 | 45-18-8 | 770.7 |
| 4 | +1 |
 |
Dallas Stars | 3-0-0 | 44-19-9 | 767.8 |
| 5 | +3 |
 |
Nashville Predators | 3-0-0 | 42-25-4 | 751.5 |
| 6 | – |
 |
New York Rangers | 2-1-0 | 47-20-4 | 747.6 |
| 7 | -3 |
 |
Edmonton Oilers | 2-2-0 | 42-23-4 | 746.2 |
| 8 | -5 |
 |
Florida Panthers | 1-1-1 | 46-20-5 | 737.4 |
| 9 | -2 |
 |
Boston Bruins | 1-2-0 | 41-16-15 | 729.7 |
| 10 | – |
 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-2-0 | 40-21-9 | 712.8 |
| 11 | +2 |
 |
Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-0-1 | 39-25-7 | 712.2 |
| 12 | – |
 |
Los Angeles Kings | 3-0-0 | 37-22-11 | 710.4 |
| 13 | -2 |
 |
Winnipeg Jets | 1-3-0 | 44-22-5 | 696.9 |
| 14 | – |
 |
Minnesota Wild | 1-1-1 | 34-28-9 | 691.3 |
| 15 | – |
 |
Vegas Golden Knights | 2-1-0 | 38-25-7 | 689.3 |
| 16 | +2 |
 |
Washington Capitals | 3-1-0 | 35-26-9 | 672.2 |
| 17 | – |
 |
Philadelphia Flyers | 2-1-1 | 36-27-9 | 669.6 |
| 18 | +6 |
 |
New Jersey Devils | 3-1-0 | 35-33-4 | 649.7 |
| 19 | +4 |
 |
St Louis Blues | 2-1-0 | 38-30-3 | 645.1 |
| 20 | – |
 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | 0-2-1 | 30-30-10 | 642 |
| 21 | -5 |
 |
New York Islanders | 1-3-0 | 30-26-15 | 636.6 |
| 22 | +3 |
 |
Ottawa Senators | 2-2-0 | 30-36-4 | 630.5 |
| 23 | -1 |
 |
Buffalo Sabres | 2-2-0 | 34-33-5 | 627.7 |
| 24 | -3 |
 |
Seattle Kraken | 0-3-1 | 28-29-13 | 624.4 |
| 25 | -6 |
 |
Calgary Flames | 0-3-0 | 33-32-5 | 622.5 |
| 26 | +1 |
 |
Detroit Red Wings | 2-1-0 | 36-29-6 | 607.4 |
| 27 | -1 |
 |
Arizona Coyotes | 1-2-0 | 29-37-5 | 584.5 |
| 28 | – |
 |
Montreal Canadiens | 1-1-1 | 26-32-12 | 578 |
| 29 | – |
 |
Columbus Blue Jackets | 0-2-1 | 23-36-12 | 567.3 |
| 30 | – |
 |
Chicago Blackhawks | 1-2-0 | 20-46-5 | 537.4 |
| 31 | – |
 |
Anaheim Ducks | 1-1-1 | 24-43-4 | 517.9 |
| 32 | – |
 |
San Jose Sharks | 0-2-1 | 16-46-8 | 478.9 |
Once again, we have a new number-one team this week in the TWC rankings. After going undefeated over the past seven days, the Colorado Avalanche have taken the title—whether permanently or temporarily remains to be known with still a few more weeks to go. With no clear weak spots and a star-studded roster, it’s no wonder they’ve landed in the top spot.
Their dominance across the statistical categories considered by the model puts them ahead of the other top teams. The Vancouver Canucks are also at the top of the standings and also went undefeated. But their possession and scoring chance numbers are slightly less dominant, giving the model less confidence in their continued success.
Further down the list, the once-dominant Florida Panthers slid another five places this week. They’re now down eight places in two weeks. This week they won only one of their three games.
However, the Panthers are not down and out. Despite sliding in both the NHL standings and these rankings, their underlying metrics remain dominant. They could very well bounce back before the playoffs roll around and find themselves on top to end the season.
Lastly, an interesting team to note is the New Jersey Devils. After failing to even come close to the expectations made of them to start the year, the Devils climbed six places up the rankings this week, on the back of Jake Allen’s stellar performances.
Considering the strong underlying numbers the Devils have, it’s no surprise to see them launch up the standings with a more steady presence now between the pipes.
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 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22
You must be logged in to post a comment.