Here are the first NHL Analytics Power Rankings for 2015!
What goes into this ranking? Shot attempts for percentage, offensive/defensive zone starts, goals for percentage and puck luck are the elements of this analytic power ranking. Last week’s NHL Analytics Power Rankings on Puck Drunk Love can be found here. Keep in mind that based on the 2013-14 NHL season, 13 out of 16 playoff teams ranked in the top 16 of these same analytics power rankings.
Largest change in power ranking from last week: The largest drop from last week’s rankings was on part of the Winnipeg Jets dropping six spots from nine to 15. The biggest climb was for the resurgent Dallas Stars moving up six spots from 16 to 10.
Teams currently outside the playoffs in points but in the top 16 of the rankings: Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.
Teams currently in the playoffs based on points but outside of the top 16 in the rankings: Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Three teams with the most luck: Nashville Predators (2.5), Montreal Canadiens (2.4), New York Rangers (1.7) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (1.7).
Three teams with the least luck: Carolina Hurricanes (-3.2), Edmonton Oilers (-2.5) and the Arizona Coyotes (-2.0).
Biggest change in power ranking based on luck: The Montreal Canadiens would drop from 12th to 16th with league average luck and all of the following teams would move up two spots: San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild and Arizona Coyotes.
Biggest differences between power ranking and ranking in the standings: On the negative side the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks are all 10 or more spots higher in the standings than their analytic ranking. While the Dallas Stars are 10 spots lower in the standings than their analytic ranking.
The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers are mostly likely to continue nipping at the heels of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern conference and I expect at least one of them to overtake the Leafs at some point for a playoff position.
The Bruins are the more consistent team than the Panthers so I would expect them to be the one out of the two if I was a betting man.
