NHL Power Rankings: Are the Edmonton Oilers the best in the West?

Credit: Leon Draisaitl (© Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

Remember when I said that the rule where clinched teams can’t be behind non-clinched teams likely wouldn’t change much? Turns out I was wrong, as it drastically altered what this list could have been based on the aggregate. Some teams like the Golden Knights and Rangers moved up as many as three or four places, while the Stars could have been in fifth if not for the rule dropping them to 10th. It’s made a big difference with only a couple weeks left in the season, as there’s enough teams clinched and enough still fighting for spots that it’s needed to come into use this week.

As I’ve done so far this season, I’ll be ranking teams not just on their results in the standings but also with how they’ve looked in several stats as well. Otherwise I’d just copy and paste the standings, right? No fun in that. The rankings are an aggregate of six different stats: points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. But, to ground the rankings a bit, no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead in the standings, regardless of where the aggregate places them. And as teams are clinching playoff spots, I’ve added another rule that teams that haven’t clinched a playoff spot can’t be ahead of teams that have.

1. Boston Bruins

Record: 60-12-5 (.812%, 1st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +79 (1st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.81 (t9th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.33 (2nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.22 (12th)
PK xGA/60: 6.32 (1st)
5v5 PDO: 103.6
Previous Week: 1st (0)

The Bruins saw their seven-game winning streak end to start last week with a 2-1 loss to the Predators, but then they followed it up with another three-game winning streak by beating the Blue Jackets, Penguins, and Blues. And you can breathe easy as well, as the Bruins finally won that tight race for the Presidents’ Trophy by clinching it to start their new streak.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 49-18-9 (.704%, 2nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +35 (t-4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.21 (1st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.06 (1st)
PP xGF/60: 8.57 (11th)
PK xGA/60: 7.34 (7th)
5v5 PDO: 99.2
Previous Week: 3rd (-1)

It seemed like the hole left by Andrei Svechnikov was more and more apparent to start last week for the Hurricanes, as they had lost a stretch four of five games before they rebounded with two wins over the weekend. That got them to pass the Devils on the list because of how close these second and third positions, and much like it was the case a couple months ago, they would be ahead of the Bruins right now if not for the massive points advantage they have built up this season.

3. New Jersey Devils

Record: 48-21-8 (.675%, 3rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +35 (t-4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.15 (3rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.37 (t-3rd)
PP xGF/60: 8.7 (10th)
PK xGA/60: 7.24 (t-5th)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 2nd (-1)

The Devils’ playoff spot is locked in already so they don’t have a ton to worry about, but they did see last week get bookended with two ugly losses, with a 5-1 blowout to the Islanders and a 6-1 walloping against the Jets. That still drops them down a spot, as the underlying numbers were bad enough to pull the equally struggling Canes ahead of them.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 45-21-10 (.658%, 5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +39 (t-2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.88 (7th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.48 (10th)
PP xGF/60: 9.21 (6th)
PK xGA/60: 6.65 (2nd)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 4th (0)

The Leafs post-deadline sluggishness continues, as they dropped two of their three games last week to the Panthers and the Red Wings. They’ve secured their playoff spot so it’s not the end of the world, but they’re letting the Lightning get back into the conversation for home ice in the first round.

5. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 45-23-9 (.643%, 8th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +17 (13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.96 (6th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.53 (12th)
PP xGF/60: 10.23 (1st)
PK xGA/60: 8.13 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 9th (+4)

The Oilers are heating up again at the right time, with wins in nine of their last 10 and four wins in a row last week over the Coyotes, Golden Knights, Kings, and Ducks. That’s not only clinched them a playoff spot, but put them in a good spot to potentially pounce on Vegas to take that top division spot, and maybe even the Western Conference.

6. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 45-22-10 (.649%, 7th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +14 (14th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.7 (14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.37 (t-3rd)
PP xGF/60: 7.77 (19th)
PK xGA/60: 7.24 (t-5th)
5v5 PDO: 99.1
Previous Week: 5th (-1)

The Kings took a Northwest road trip last week, and while they saw their franchise-record point streak snapped to start it with losses to the Flames and Oilers, they bounced back with wins against the Kraken and the Canucks over the weekend. They got those wins in spite of some injuries, as Mikey Anderson missed both games, Kevin Fiala missed the Canucks game, and Alex Edler left that game early as well.

7. New York Rangers

Record: 45-21-11 (.656%, 6th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +26 (7th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.56 (22nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.6 (14th)
PP xGF/60: 9.87 (2nd)
PK xGA/60: 7.55 (12th)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 6th (-1)

After appearing to be unbeatable for a stretch post-deadline, the Rangers cooled down a bit and split their four games last week, bookending it with wins over the Blue Jackets and Capitals. While some of the new pieces’ futures with the team are up in the air, they did lock up one of their younger pieces in Filip Chytil to a four-year contract.

8. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 47-22-7 (.664%, 4th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +19 (t-11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.69 (15th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.52 (11th)
PP xGF/60: 8.83 (9th)
PK xGA/60: 7.68 (16th)
5v5 PDO: 101
Previous Week: 7th (-1)

Just when it seemed like the Golden Knights may have had the Pacific Division title locked up, they dropped their first two games last week, including one to the second-place Oilers, to make it a race again. They’ve been without defenseman Shea Theodore for their most recent two games, so with a playoff spot all locked up, Vegas probably just wants to get healthy before the playoffs start.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 45-26-6 (.623%, 12th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +19 (t-11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.86 (8th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.59 (13th)
PP xGF/60: 7.85 (18th)
PK xGA/60: 8.15 (20th)
5v5 PDO: 101
Previous Week: 14th (+5)

After tumbling down the rankings last week, the Lightning seem to have rebounded with three straight wins over the Hurricanes, Capitals, and Islanders, outscoring the competition by a margin of 14-1. The win over the Islanders officially punched their ticket to the playoffs, and locked in a first round rematch with the Maple Leafs, who they may also swipe home-ice advantage from.

The Stars had begun to put an end to their slump with three wins in four games to get back into the Central Division title race, but ended last week with a 5-2 loss in a key matchup against the Avalanche. Jason Robertson had himself a game on Friday at least, putting up a goal and four points to hit the 100-mark for his career and set a Stars franchise record for points in a season (since moving to Dallas).

11. Minnesota Wild

Record: 44-23-9 (.638%, 10th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +12 (15th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.48 (23rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.42 (t-6th)
PP xGF/60: 9.07 (t-7th)
PK xGA/60: 7.46 (10th)
5v5 PDO: 100.9
Previous Week: 10th (-1)

The Wild saw their more recent point streak extend to six games to start the week before that was ended on Saturday with a loss to the Golden Knights. Matt Boldy has really helped fill the void left by Kirill Kaprizov’s injury for the Wild, as he’s got 12 goals in 11 games now since Kaprizov left.

12. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 45-24-6 (.640%, 9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +21 (10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (17th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.42 (t-6th)
PP xGF/60: 7.86 (17th)
PK xGA/60: 7.61 (17th)
5v5 PDO: 100.7
Previous Week: 12th (0)

The Avalanche find themselves with 10 wins in their last 12 games, getting hot at the perfect time with the playoffs right around the corner. Rantanen had himself a four-point night in their most recent win over the Stars, adding to a season that could have been MVP-caliber if not for the existence of Connor McDavid.

13. Calgary Flames

Record: 36-26-15 (.565%, 15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +10 (16th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.97 (5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.38 (5th)
PP xGF/60: 8.21 (13th)
PK xGA/60: 6.8 (3rd)
5v5 PDO: 97.9
Previous Week: 15th (+2)

The Flames are not only alive again, but a playoff spot is in the cards as they are hot on the tails of the Jets for that final Wildcard spot thanks to a four-game winning streak. That included two come-from-behind victories against the Canucks and Ducks, something that has occurred very rarely for this Flames team, so maybe it’s a sign of things changing just when they needed it.

14. Florida Panthers

Record: 39-31-7 (.552%, 19th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +30 (6th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.17 (2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.61 (15th)
PP xGF/60: 9.76 (3rd)
PK xGA/60: 7.62 (14th)
5v5 PDO: 100.1
Previous Week: 16th (+2)

How do you respond to a four-game losing streak that almost ends your playoff chances? Well, a three-game winning streak will certainly help things while the Penguins team that they’re chasing is struggling. And did anyone have Brandon Montour setting a Panthers franchise single-season record in points for defensemen with his 65 and counting this season?

15. Seattle Kraken

Record: 41-26-8 (.600%, 13th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +39 (t-2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.59 (21st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.42 (t-6th)
PP xGF/60: 6.66 (26th)
PK xGA/60: 7.51 (11th)
5v5 PDO: 100.6
Previous Week: 11th (-4)

The Kraken have been chugging along at a .500 pace, which has pretty much settled them into a Wildcard spot. That continued last week with them losing two of their three games, with both losses coming against playoff teams as well, and they drop down four places as other teams catch up to them points-wise to pull ahead in the rankings.

16. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 43-31-3 (.578%, 14th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +7 (17th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.72 (t-12th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.62 (16th)
PP xGF/60: 8.07 (15th)
PK xGA/60: 7.45 (9th)
5v5 PDO: 100.6
Previous Week: 13th (-3)

The Jets may have finally got their act together, as after starting the week with another loss to the Sharks, they bounced back with two blow outs over the Wings and Devils, outscoring them 12-3. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Flames and Predators are breathing down their necks for that final Wildcard spot.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 38-29-10 (.558%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -4 (19th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.12 (4th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 9.07 (t-7th)
PK xGA/60: 8.27 (22nd)
5v5 PDO: 99.3
Previous Week: 17th (0)

The recent stretch of .500 hockey for the Penguins is far from a disaster considering where they were at before, but they definitely need to pick up the pace if they don’t want to risk losing their current playoff spot to the fast-approaching Panthers. At the very least, some of their big names are trying their best, with Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell all notching five points last week.

18. New York Islanders

Record: 39-30-9 (.558%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +23 (8th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.64 (t-18th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.76 (24th)
PP xGF/60: 7.4 (23rd)
PK xGA/60: 8.38 (t-23rd)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 18th (0)

The Islanders put an end to one two-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over the Devils and Capitals before dealing with another two-game losing streak over the weekend. It’s the last thing they needed as the East’s Wildcard race tightens up, with both Pittsburgh and Florida within a win of the Islanders with games in hand.

19. Ottawa Senators

Record: 37-34-6 (.519%, 21st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -30 (28th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.73 (11th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.69 (20th)
PP xGF/60: 9.42 (5th)
PK xGA/60: 8.11 (18th)
5v5 PDO: 98
Previous Week: 19th (0)

The Sens looked to be keeping their playoff hopes alive to start last week when they beat the Panthers and Flyers, but dropping two straight to the Leafs and Blue Jackets over the weekend will make that tricky considering the rough state they’re already in. Add in the injuries to Thomas Chabot, Travis Hamonic, and Derick Brassard, and that climb up is looking daunting with so few games left.

20. Nashville Predators

Record: 38-29-8 (.560%, 16th)
5v5 Goal Differential: 0 (18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.63 (20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.86 (27th)
PP xGF/60: 7.2 (25th)
PK xGA/60: 7.28 (t-23rd)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 21st (+1)

It was a solid week for the Preds to keep alive in the playoff race, taking two of their three games last week to bounce back from a two-game skid in the weekend prior. Juuse Saros is once again a big difference maker for them in this late push, as he posted a .961 SV% while starting in all three games.

21. Washington Capitals

Record: 34-34-9 (.500%, t-23rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -9 (20th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.68 (16th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 7.6 (21st)
PK xGA/60: 8.19 (21st)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 20th (-1)

The Caps seem to just be waiting for the season to end, as they’ve lost four games in a row, and would need a miracle to sneak into that final playoff spot. It also drops them down a spot on the rankings, as they’ve now fallen out of that five-point range of the Predators and are stuck behind them.

22. Detroit Red Wings

Record: 34-33-9 (.507%, 22nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -28 (26th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.21 (t-29th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.63 (17th)
PP xGF/60: 7.32 (24th)
PK xGA/60: 7.65 (15th)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 22nd (0)

While a playoff spot is not likely, the Wings are at least keeping their games meaningful, as they’ve now won three of their last four games against the Penguins, Hurricanes, and Leafs last week. Dylan Larkin has particularly stepped up to the occasion, with five goals and eight points during this hot stretch, including a hat trick against the Leafs.

23. Buffalo Sabres

Record: 37-31-7 (.540%, 20th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -10 (21st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.64 (t-18th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.8 (25th)
PP xGF/60: 6.56 (27th)
PK xGA/60: 9.21 (29th)
5v5 PDO: 99.6
Previous Week: 24th (+1)

The Sabres are still hanging around in the playoff race, as wins in four of their last five have kept them in the conversation, although they need a lot to go their way for anything to come to fruition. At the very least, they got a nice glimpse of the future last week with Devon Levi making his first start in between the pipes, getting a win as well.

24. Vancouver Canucks

Record: 34-35-7 (.493%, 25th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -19 (24th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.41 (24th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.71 (23rd)
PP xGF/60: 8.08 (14th)
PK xGA/60: 8.75 (28th)
5v5 PDO: 99.5
Previous Week: 23rd (-1)

The Canucks kept somewhat hot to start last week, finishing off a stretch of points in seven of eight games before ending it with a loss to the Kings, and will likely have to wait until next season to see if there’s any meaningful substance to this stretch. They’ll also have to wait until next season to get a better idea on deadline addition Filip Hronek, as he was shut down for the rest of the season last week due to his ailing shoulder injury.

25. St. Louis Blues

Record: 35-35-7 (.500%, t-23rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -12 (22nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.31 (27th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.89 (28th)
PP xGF/60: 5.84 (31st)
PK xGA/60: 8.39 (25th)
5v5 PDO: 100.5
Previous Week: 26th (+1)

The Blues are well out of that massive post-deadline slump, as they’ve mostly been trading wins and losses, seeing a stretch of four wins in five games before dropping both games over the weekend. That said, losing Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Marco Scandella over the course of the week will hurt anyone’s chances of winning games.

26. Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 29-34-13 (.467%, 26th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -15 (23rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.37 (25th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.7 (t-21st)
PP xGF/60: 5.83 (32nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.65 (27th)
5v5 PDO: 99.5
Previous Week: 25th (-1)

The Flyers managed to extend their point streak to seven games last week, their most successful stretch of the season, which is surprising considering that they were off to a solid start at the beginning of the year. They followed that up with two straight regulation losses to the Sabres and Penguins, and have now lost three in a row to return to normalcy.

27. Arizona Coyotes

Record: 27-37-13 (.435%, 27th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -24 (25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.17 (31st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.85 (26th)
PP xGF/60: 5.98 (29th)
PK xGA/60: 9.81 (31st)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 27th (0)

It’s the Coyotes’ turn to try put themselves back in the Bedard conversation, as they’ve now lost seven games in a row, including three last week to the Oilers, Stars, and Sharks. However, it may be too little too late to join the rest of the teams below them, as even a losing streak like this doesn’t move them down the list.

28. Montreal Canadiens

Record: 30-41-6 (.429%, 28th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -29 (27th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.28 (28th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.99 (30th)
PP xGF/60: 6.47 (28th)
PK xGA/60: 9.5 (30th)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 28th (0)

It’s another losing streak for the Habs, as losses to the Flyers, Panthers, and Hurricanes last week have put them further into the depths of the lottery race. They had some more additions to the injury list as well, with Kirby Dach, David Savard, and Rafael Harvey-Pinard all missing time last week.

29. San Jose Sharks

Record: 22-39-15 (.388%, 29th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -37 (29th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.81 (t-9th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.7 (t-21st)
PP xGF/60: 7.59 (22nd)
PK xGA/60: 7.36 (8th)
5v5 PDO: 98.4
Previous Week: 29th (0)

Just as the Sharks looked to be reeling and set for last place, they’ve strung together three wins to spoil their lottery odds. The one thing that this streak has at least given them is Erik Karlsson creeping closer to the 100 point mark, hitting 95 after a four-point game in the Sharks 7-2 win over the Coyotes.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets

Record: 24-44-8 (.368%, 30th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -77 (31st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.33 (26th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.01 (31st)
PP xGF/60: 8 (16th)
PK xGA/60: 8.63 (26th)
5v5 PDO: 97.9
Previous Week: 30th (0)

The Blue Jackets saw their losing streak extend to four games last week before they ended the week with a win over the Senators, although they can survive the odd win at this point with all the losing they’ve done recently. Oh, and they had even more injuries to worry about, with Erik Gudbranson, Nick Blankenburg, and Mathieu Olivier all looking to miss the rest of the season, as well as Elvis Merzlikins being out all week.

31. Chicago Blackhawks

Record: 24-46-6 (.355%, 32nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -69 (30th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.03 (32nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.95 (29th)
PP xGF/60: 5.96 (30th)
PK xGA/60: 6.83 (13th)
5v5 PDO: 98.7
Previous Week: 31st (0)

The Blackhawks are just going through the motions for the final games of the season, as they’re now on an eight-game losing streak to help solidify their Connor Bedard chances with only a couple weeks left. A lone bright spot during this stretch was the return of captain Jonathan Toews after recovering from a couple of illnesses, as he sets out to enjoy what could be his final weeks as a Blackhawk.

32. Anaheim Ducks

Record: 23-44-10 (.364%, 31st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -84 (32nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.21 (t-29th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.54 (32nd)
PP xGF/60: 7.76 (20th)
PK xGA/60: 9.89 (32nd)
5v5 PDO: 98.8
Previous Week: 32nd (0)

At this point Ducks fans might not accept anything except Bedard this season, as they’re suffering through another cold streak to close out the year, this time an eight-game skid. It doesn’t help that some of their big names have been missing some time, with Troy Terry out while waiting on the birth of his child, Trevor Zegras missing a game earlier this week, and John Gibson leaving Saturday’s loss to the Oilers with an injury.

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