Welcome back to the new and improved TWC Power Rankings! This season we will be continuing our weekly power ranking series, but with a completely new take. We think will be able to provide a much more analytical look at the state of the NHL on week to week basis using our own developed model that takes into affect so much more than personal preference.

The model takes into affect winning percentages, CF%, SCF%, HDCF% as well as SV%. We believe that these statistics give us the best well rounded look of a team in terms of how they stack up against the competition. 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.

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 affect.

Without further ado, the brand new season of TWC Power Rankings!

Power Rankings at a Glance

Power Ranking Notables

The Devils start the season a the top of our list. Due in large part to their unbeaten 3-0-0 record, they have continued right where they left off after their surprise playoff appearance last season. How long will they last at the top? Time will tell if they can keep up their hot streak, but at the moment they lead the league in terms of HDCF% and SV% at all strengths. Win percentage plays a big part, but this team currently has a lot more going for it as well. Due to only three games played, the Devils sit tied for eighth in the NHL standings.

Rounding out the top five are the Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Predators, and Bruins. These four teams are all riding fantastic starts that find them sitting in the top five in league standings.

Carolina gets the edge based on the fact they are sitting in the top three across all categories measured, besides SV%. The surprise of the season so far, the Canes are putting together some strong hockey night in and night out, suffering their first regulation lost Sunday night against Winnipeg.

The rest of the top five are not separated by much. The Leafs get the upper hand this week due to being ahead of the curve in terms of HDCF%, as well as playing and winning an extra game.

Anaheim is easily one of the biggest surprises on our list. Currently sitting tied for second in the NHL, and leading the Pacific Division, the Ducks are currently sitting at an abysmal 38.8% CF% on the season. They also sit dead last in HDCF% and SCF%, but due to John Gibson‘s brilliance they sit second in SV%. This complete offensive breakdown by the Ducks have them falling to 14th in our rankings for the time being, but so far they have still found ways to win.

Moving on to the bottom dwellers, the Flyers, Oilers, Rangers, Panthers, and Red Wings have gotten off to less than desirable starts. Teams like the Rangers and Red Wings were expected to be in a transition stage, but the same can’t be said for the rest. Expected to contend for playoff spots, the Flyers, Oilers, and Panthers have only a combined two wins between them. This result has completely cratered their TWCScore, albeit with Edmonton having a much smaller sample size. A handful of wins for each team should have their scores improve substantially, but they enter week in a disappointing hole.

Biggest Gainer and Loser

Check back next week to see where the teams end up climbing, or falling.

What are your thoughts? Are you surprised where your team landed this week? Let us know at @wincolumnblog.

All data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.