Welcome to Week 22 of the TWC Power Rankings! 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. 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.

Rank Change Team Last Week Record TWCScore 1 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1-0 52-13-4 879.2 2 +2 San Jose Sharks 2-0-0 41-19-8 820.5 3 +2 Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0-1 42-21-5 813.7 4 -1 Boston Bruins 3-1-0 42-18-9 811.1 5 -3 Calgary Flames 1-3-0 42-20-7 804.8 6 – Carolina Hurricanes 1-1-1 37-24-7 781.8 7 – Vegas Golden Knights 2-1-0 38-27-5 780.3 8 – New York Islanders 2-1-0 39-22-7 775.7 9 – Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1-0 37-23-9 774.8 10 +2 Washington Capitals 3-0-0 41-21-7 768.3 11 +3 St Louis Blues 2-0-1 36-25-7 766.5 12 -1 Nashville Predators 1-1-0 39-26-5 760.1 13 -3 Winnipeg Jets 1-2-0 40-24-4 753.7 14 +1 Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1-0 38-27-3 751.5 15 -2 Montreal Canadiens 1-2-0 36-26-7 746.1 16 – Minnesota Wild 1-1-1 33-28-8 742.3 17 +1 Dallas Stars 2-1-0 35-28-5 729.9 18 -1 Philadelphia Flyers 1-1-0 33-27-8 725.7 19 +1 Colorado Avalanche 2-1-0 30-27-12 717.2 20 -1 Arizona Coyotes 2-1-0 34-29-5 711.1 21 +1 Florida Panthers 2-1-1 30-27-12 705.2 22 -1 Buffalo Sabres 0-2-1 30-29-9 689.7 23 – Edmonton Oilers 2-1-0 30-31-7 683.4 24 – New York Rangers 1-1-1 28-28-12 680.1 25 +2 Chicago Blackhawks 2-0-0 29-30-9 669.7 26 -1 Vancouver Canucks 1-2-0 28-32-9 654.8 27 -1 New Jersey Devils 0-2-1 25-35-9 646.5 28 +1 Anaheim Ducks 2-2-0 27-34-9 629.2 29 -1 Los Angeles Kings 1-3-0 25-36-8 627.1 30 – Detroit Red Wings 1-2-1 24-35-10 624.1 31 – Ottawa Senators 0-2-1 23-40-6 606.2

Power Ranking Notables

The stage is set for the final month of the regular season. The definition between contenders and playoff teams is beginning to become much more clear. On our rankings, there was some movement in the top five. Three of the top four teams, Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Boston, are all located in the Atlantic Division. It’s almost criminal that we will lose two of these teams in the first two rounds.

The San Jose Sharks, who have been on an absolute tear, jumped up into second place on our rankings. Currently on a four game winning streak, and 7-2-1 in their past ten, the Sharks have made life very difficult for the top teams in the west.

Taking a look at the Eastern Conference playoff race, it looks like it is going to be a toss up for the two wild-card positions. The Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Montreal Canadiens are all fighting for only two positions. On our rankings, they place 7th, 14th and 15th respectively. The Hurricanes sport excellent advanced statistics, giving them the edge on our list, but they also have been the better team as of late. Even though the Blue Jackets made all the moves at the deadline, they simply have not been able to translate that into wins as of yet. The Canadiens have hung around the playoff picture all year, but do they have the potential to hang on just a little bit longer?

In the bottom half of the league, there wasn’t much movement out of some of the teams jostling for draft lottery position. The Chicago Blackhawks appear to be doing the opposite, winning two in a row. The Ottawa Senators are showing off a bit at the bottom, going 1-8-1 in their past 10. It’s a good think they have a great shot at Jack Hughes this year.

Wait what’s that? Oh.

Biggest Gainer and Loser

Gainer: St. Louis Blues (+3)

After losing five spots last week, the Blues were back to their winning ways. Jumping up three spots on our list, the Blues have stretched their cushion in the Central Division. The potential loss of Vladimir Tarasenko could hinder their plans for that position, but the playoffs seem like a solid outcome at this rate.

Loser: Calgary Flames & Winnipeg Jets (-3)

Before winning last night, the Flames were in a bit of a tailspin. Losing four straight in regulation, their seven point cushion atop the Western Conference evaporated into just a single point now. Finally breaking out against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Flames offense was previously at a premium. It’s a two man race for the top now between the Flames and Sharks. Who do you chose? The Jets on the other hand haven’t been playing their best hockey as of late, or consistent for that matter. 4-5-1 in their past ten games, the Jets need to put forth strong consecutive outings to right the ship.

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

Related:

TWC Power Rankings:

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

All data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.