NHL 2022-23 Season Weekly Power Rankings: Monday 3/20

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Artemi Panarin #10, New York Rangers (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

The 2022-23 NHL season is nearing the finish line. NHL teams have under 15 games to go this season which makes each week that much more vital. Let’s go over this week’s power rankings.

NHL 2022-23 Season Weekly Power Rankings: Monday, 3/20

32. San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 31

The San Jose Sharks are on a six-game losing streak, including three losses this past week against the Islanders, Kraken and Blue Jackets, all at home. Worth pointing out – the Sharks are the second-worst team in the league currently, so the possibility of drafting Bedard is in play.

31. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 32

The Jackets also had a tough week. While they won a game last Tuesday against the Sharks, they lost three straight on a road trip out west. Their next matchup is on Tuesday against the Capitals.

30. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 30

The Blackhawks have been mathematically eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs – the first in the Central Division to get eliminated. Chicago has had a rough year, and their most unfortunate reality could be they might not finish in last place.

29. Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 27

The Canadiens dropped two spots from last week as they have a record of 1-7-2 in their last ten games. This season has featured some positives for the Canadiens, but another good draft could be just what they need to elevate their lineup to that next level.

Detroit Red Wings, Alex Chiasson #48. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

28. Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 29

27. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: 28

26. St. Louis Blues

Previous Ranking: 24

25. Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: 23

Saving all comments to the bottom: Not many major surprises here except for the Red Wings falling off. It seems like the Wings were going to have a chance at making the playoffs this season; at least, it looked possible ten games ago before they went 2-7-1.

Also, a dishonorable last place in the power rankings goes to Jordan Binnington for his tantrum during a game last week against the Minnesota Wild. Binnington has been involved with a lot of antics over the last season and a half, and it won’t be long before his season comes to an end.

Another dishonorable last place in the power rankings goes to the refs of that Blues/Wild game for not letting Fleury and Binnington fight. That would have been one heck of a goalie fight – something we rarely see anymore in the game.

Tyler Myers #57, Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

24. Buffalo Sabres

Previous Ranking: 22

23. Ottawa Senators

Previous Ranking: 18

22. Arizona Coyotes

Previous Ranking: 26

21. Vancouver Canucks

Previous Ranking: 25

Maybe next year, Buffalo and Ottawa. Both of these teams looked so promising, yet with under 15 games to go, their playoff hopes are basically gone, and now we wait and see if Florida can find a way to sneak into the postseason.

The Arizona Coyotes have won four straight games. Which is hilarious and has earned them this spot in the rankings. The Coyotes winning right now is hurting their chances of landing that top spot in the draft though.

Tyler Toffoli #73, Calgary Flames (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

20. Winnipeg Jets

Previous Ranking: 16

19. Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: 20

18. Nashville Predators

Previous Ranking: 19

17. Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: 21

Three of these four teams are outside of the playoff picture at the moment. Winnipeg is the lone playoff team in this group, yet they are the one falling the most in the standings currently. While teams have had ups and downs this season, Winnipeg is really the main team that is basically making it a race with Calgary for a wild card spot.

Washington currently finds themselves 5 points out of a playoff spot, with Pittsburgh also having two games in hand. The end of an era is coming, with Washington set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 18: Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken reacts after losing 6-4 against the Edmonton Oilers at Climate Pledge Arena on March 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

16. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous Ranking: 15

15. Florida Panthers

Previous Ranking: 17

14. New York Islanders

Previous Ranking: 14

13. Seattle Kraken

Previous Ranking: 10

Three of these four teams are a part of the playoff race for the wild cards in the East. The crazy thing is there is a case to be made for any variation of these Penguins, Panthers and Islanders making the playoffs. The Islanders might be leading point-wise, but the Penguins and Panthers both have two games in hand on the Islanders and could pass New York up with two wins.

The Kraken need to finish strong, but they are currently on pace to make the playoffs this season. If you forget about Vegas in 2018, the Kraken definitely have one of the most successful expansion teams from the start. They are set to make the playoffs in just their second year and are building out a really good roster.

OTTAWA, CANADA – MARCH 16: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates Valeri Nichushkin #13 (not shown) first period goal against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on March 16, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

12. Edmonton Oilers

Previous Ranking: 13

11. Minnesota Wild

Previous Ranking: 9

10. Dallas Stars

Previous Ranking: 5

9. Colorado Avalanche

Previous Ranking: 11

Here we have four of the best teams in the Western Conference. Colorado is, of course, the most likely playoff threat from this conference, but at the same time, Dallas, Minnesota and Edmonton are all also very good.

In the same way, we gave Jordan Binnington a dishonorable last-place ranking earlier, I would like to give an honorable first-place spot to Marc-Andre Fleury for almost getting into a goalie fight while he was wearing a microphone for the broadcast that night.

Additionally, watch out for the Avalanche, as they have won five straight and seem like they have hit their stride once again.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 18: Sebastian Aho #20 and Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal by Necas during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on March 18, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

8. Los Angeles Kings

Previous Ranking: 8

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous Ranking: 7

6. New York Rangers

Previous Ranking: 12

5. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 4

I have to be upfront here. I had the Rangers a lot higher up on my rankings but was outvoted there. They were undefeated on the week and won pretty big, shutting out both the Penguins and Predators in major wins. This team is really starting to click with a 7-2-1 record in their last ten, and if their last two games have shown anything, it is that they are able to score a lot of goals. They are going to be fun to watch in the playoffs.

The Lightning also are a quiet team that, as usual, will be a threat this postseason. While they might not have as many points as the Bruins or as many rental pieces as the Leafs, I still think this Lightning team is poised for the postseason and will be fun to watch.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Nolan Foote #25 of the New Jersey Devils looks to pass in the third period during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 19, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous Ranking: 6

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous Ranking: 3

2. New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 2

1. Boston Bruins

Previous Ranking: 1

The top four! Any one of these four teams could very well win the Stanley Cup this spring. Boston is having a remarkable season, although I do have to note they lost to the Blackhawks last week in the most head-scratching 6-3 game ever. Toronto is also having a great season with a 6-3-1 record in their last ten, including wins against Carolina and Edmonton as of late. Overall this team looks ready for the postseason and another matchup with the Lightning.

The race for the top spot in the Metro will also be interesting to watch over the next few weeks. Carolina is sitting in front of New Jersey with two games in hand as well as a one-point lead. I do think the Hurricanes and Devils are not afraid of who they will meet in round one, but finishing in the top spot in the division would be better for sure. The Rangers are going to be a tough opponent in round one.

Boston finished in the top spot once again. Now we will have to wait and see if a different team takes their place next week!

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