Blackhawks continue familiar trends as youthful reinforcements arrive in this week's power rankings

In this week’s power rankings, the division leaders begin to separate themselves from the pack with only ten games remaining. These power rankings are determined mainly by a team's win-loss record, but also by their recent performance, injuries, and the strength of the week's schedule. For example, if teams have similar records or point totals, they will receive a higher ranking based on who they played and the margins of victory. Teams will also be ranked higher or lower depending on how they have played over their last 10 games.

The Past Week (2-1-1)

The Chicago Blackhawks began the week by beating the Minnesota Wild for the first time in what has seemed like 45 years. Led by Spencer Knight, a fantastic breakaway move by Connor Bedard propelled them to victory in a low-scoring and low-shot game. Unfortunately, the next night, the Colorado Avalanche paid a visit to the United Center and put up almost 50 shots. This game was a good example of just how wide the talent gap remains between the Blackhawks and the NHL's top team.

Once again, the Blackhawks blew another third-period lead as they hosted the Nashville Predators. This totaled their thirteenth overtime/shootout loss this season. This team would have a legitimate shot at the playoffs if they managed to finish off even half of the games where they held a lead going into the third period. Finally, we saw the arrival of Anton Frondell, which led to the Blackhawks playing the Islanders with a spark in their game. Frondell scored his first career point with an assist, and Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar continued the youth movement with multiple points to help secure the win.

Power Rankings

32 - Vancouver Canucks (21-41-8) (-)
31 - New York Rangers (28-34-9) (-2)
30 - Chicago Blackhawks (27-31-13) (-)
29 - Calgary Flames (30-34-7) (+2)
28 - San Jose Sharks (32-31-6) (-6)
27 - Seattle Kraken (31-29-10) (-6)
26 - St. Louis Blues (29-30-11) (+1)
25 - Winnipeg Jets (30-29-12) (+3)
24 - Toronto Maple Leafs (30-29-13) (+1)
23 - Florida Panthers (35-32-3) (+3)
22 - Los Angeles Kings (28-25-18) (-2)
21 - New Jersey Devils (36-32-2) (+2)
20 - Vegas Golden Knights (32-26-14) (-1)
19 - Nashville Predators (34-28-9) (+5)
18 - Washington Capitals (35-28-9) (-)
17 - Utah Mammoth (37-29-6) (-1)

16 - Edmonton Oilers (35-28-9) (-1)
15 - Philadelphia Flyers (34-24-12) (+2)
14 - Detroit Red Wings (38-25-8) (-4)
13 - New York Islanders (40-27-5) (-5)
12 - Anaheim Ducks (40-27-4) (+2)
11 - Pittsburgh Penguins (35-20-16) (-2)
10 - Boston Bruins (39-24-8) (+2)
9 - Ottawa Senators (38-24-9) (+4)
8 - Columbus Blue Jackets (38-22-11) (+3)
7 - Minnesota Wild (40-20-12) (-2)
6 - Montreal Canadiens (39-21-10) (-)
5 - Tampa Bay Lightning (44-21-5) (+2)
4 - Carolina Hurricanes (45-20-6) (-)
3 - Buffalo Sabres (44-20-7) (-)
2 - Dallas Stars (43-17-11) (-)
1 - Colorado Avalanche (47-13-10) (-)

Eastern Conference Wild Card Race

Over the past week, there has been considerable movement in the wild-card race in the Eastern Conference. The Ottawa Senators are red-hot as they have won four straight games and are 8-2-0 in their last ten games. They currently hold the final wild card spot, leaving the Islanders and Red Wings on the outside looking in. Along with the Bruins, these four teams are currently only separated by two points.

Pacific Fallouts

As has been the theme all year, no one is taking advantage of the mediocre (at best) Pacific Division. The Ducks have been playing well lately and are holding a five-point lead over the second-place Oilers. Currently, both wild-card positions in the Western Conference are held by the Central Division (Mammoth and Predators). The Kings (3-3-4), Kraken (2-7-1), and Sharks (2-6-2) have all gone well under .500 in their last ten games.

As much as the national media has focused on the "success" of the young Sharks team, they currently only hold a three-point advantage over the Blackhawks. It would not be at all surprising to see the Blackhawks overtake the Sharks, especially as more youthful talent arrives in the last few games. The Blackhawks and Sharks also have two games remaining against each other over the next couple of weeks.

Looking Ahead

The Blackhawks will conclude their last East Coast trip of the year as they take on the Flyers (3/26), Rangers (3/27), and Devils (3/29). They will then return home to welcome Jonathan Toews and the Jets (3/31) for one last time. The Blackhawks have some very winnable games this week as they look to begin a winning culture for the first time in years. Building on the momentum from the end of this season could be key as they aim to turn themselves into perennial playoff contenders next year.