Week 2 of TWC’s NHL Power Rankings is usually an exciting one, with the small sample of games in Week 1 setting the stage for major changes in the rankings. This year did not disappoint, with teams rising and falling by as many as 18 positions on the leaderboard.
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 2 NHL Power Rankings
At the top of the rankings for the second straight week are the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a 2–0–1 record in Week 2, they aren’t unbeaten anymore, but have collected at least a point in every game this season.
The St. Louis Blues are in second place and are the only remaining undefeated team, having won all three of their games so far this year. Interestingly, they are in the bottom third of the league in both CF% and SCF%. However, their perfect win percentage and third-best save percentage clearly make up for it in the eyes of the model.
In third place this week are the Boston Bruins. Despite questions about the age of the core and the impact of major injuries on the lineup coming into the season, the Bruins have had a strong start to the year, going 3-1-0 in the last week. They are also among the very best in the league in terms of high-danger chance share, which the model rewards.
Next up, Dallas moved up four spots into fourth this week after picking up five out of a possible six points. Jake Oettinger has led the way with plenty of goals saved above expected, and the Stars have the best team save percentage in the league as a result. Outside of save percentage though, their underlying numbers aren’t as impressive as the teams ahead of them, preventing them from moving up any further in the rankings.
In fifth are the Calgary Flames, after picking up two impressive wins over the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights in the past week. Combined with solid underlying numbers, it was enough to bring them up into the top five despite a loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Outside the top five, there were some big changes. The New Jersey Devils went 3-0-0 and jumped 18 spots to eighth place, thanks to their league-best share of both chances and high-danger chances.
Similarly, the Ottawa Senators jumped 16 spots after an undefeated week. The Senators’ surge is even more impressive considering they have launched up the rankings despite below average goaltending.
On the flip side, the Winnipeg Jets had a tough week, losing three games and sliding down 15 spots to 25th overall. Other notable fallers were the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks, who have both struggled to start the year.
Past 2022–23 power rankings
Week 1
Check here for how teams have done over past weeks and stay tuned for upcoming power rankings.