March 4, 2022
By Tab Bamford

CHICAGO, IL — Thursday night in Chicago, Duncan Keith received a hero’s welcome. It was his first game at the United Center as a visitor, and even his Oilers teammates showed respect. It was a nice night for all involved... until the Oilers lost to the Blackhawks in overtime.

We’re closing in on the trade deadline, and the buyers and sellers are starting to keep their phones within reach at all times. Who will be the biggest name traded at the deadline? Which team will make the big swing for postseason glory? And which struggling team will sell the biggest lot?

Let’s jump into our first Power Rankings of the month of March. As always, let us know where we’re terribly wrong – and what we got right.

[View the Power Rankings from Week 16]

32. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are closer to the bottom of the sea than the Pacific coast. With two wins in their last ten games, they’re just five points ahead of dead last in the league and the Coyotes have two games in-hand entering Friday.

31. Arizona Coyotes

The sale will begin soon, and the Coyotes are once again looking to build for the future. Winners of four in their last ten, they’re one of two teams with a goal differential that’s worst than minus-70.

30. Philadelphia Flyers

The wheels are off in Philly. They’re 2-6-2 in their last 10 and are sliding the wrong direction, now owner of the fourth-worst goal differential in the league. We’ll see what the trade deadline brings to the Flyers’ roster.

29. Montreal Canadiens

The Habs are 6-4-0 in their last 10, so we can celebrate that for a moment. But their minus-78 goal differential remains the worst in the league and an 8-17-1 record on home ice is not nearly good enough.

28. Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres have won three of their last ten, like Arizona and Montreal, have only eight wins on home ice entering Friday.

27. Ottawa Senators

Ottawa has lost three straight entering Friday and have just three wins in their last ten starts. So much for this being a turn-around season.

26. New Jersey Devils

The Devils’ young collection of skill can turn heads. They can also make critical mistakes. While their minus-30 goal differential isn’t great, the future at least looks to be bright in Jersey. And Luke Hughes will join his brother at some point.

25. New York Islanders

Losers of two straight entering Friday and seven of their last ten, the Islanders are in a tough spot. After consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Final, they’re now looking at the draft lottery. But will they make bold moves at the deadline to change the trajectory of the team?

24. San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have won only two of their last ten. With eight overtime/shootout wins, they’ve struggled to get it done in regulation as well. How big well they sell before the end of the month?

23. Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago celebrated the return of Duncan Keith to the United Center on Thursday night with a nice overtime win against Edmonton. There are still plenty of flaws in Chicago, but now they have a new – permanent – General Manager to change the course.

22. Nashville Predators

With Filip Forsberg reportedly on the block (or they’re trying to re-sign him, depending who you believe) and the club having only three wins in their last ten, the playoffs are fading quicker than a buzz on Broadway. They put on a good show, but the on-ice struggles are mounting.

21. Detroit Red Wings

Dylan Larkin appears to have taken another step in his career and the Red Wings are starting to gather some momentum. Winners of five of their last ten, Detroit has been good at home this season (16-11-3).

20. Winnipeg Jets

The Jets continue to be the definition of a break-even team. Their goal differential (minus-three entering Friday) has hovered around zero all year and they’re 5-4-1 in their last 10.

19. Anaheim Ducks

The sexy goals make highlight reels, but consistency hasn’t quite been there for the Ducks. They’re 4-5-1 in their last 10 and have a minus-seven goal differential.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets

Don’t look now, but the Jackets have won seven of their last ten and are climbing. They haven’t lost a game in overtime/shootout on the road all season and are 15-11-1 at home.

17. Vancouver Canucks

Apparently, the coaching change continues to be a nice solve for their early season issues. The Canucks have won seven of their last ten and have climbed all the way back to a minus-three goal differential.

16. Vegas Golden Knights

The preseason runaway favorite in the Pacific has fallen on hard times. Even though Jack Eichel has been productive since joining the roster, the Knights are only 4-5-1 in their last 10.

15. Dallas Stars

With John Klingberg’s future hanging in the balance, Dallas has won seven of their last ten and are an impressive 20-7-1 at home.

14. Washington Capitals

There’s been a lot of political talk in Washington lately. More than usual. And it isn’t helping the Caps, who have slumped lately and have just four wins in their last ten.

13. Minnesota Wild

The Wild have cooled off, winners of just four of their last ten. But a 16-5-1 record on home ice is still strong, as is their plus-30 goal differential on the season.

12. Edmonton Oilers

The loss in Chicago hurts, but the Oilers have benefitted from Evander Kane’s presence in the lineup. He’s been productive, and Edmonton is 6-3-1 in their last ten.

11. Los Angeles Kings

Don’t look now, but the youth in L.A. is back on track. Winners of seven of their last ten, the Kings are 15-7-5 away from home. Even a two-game losing streak hasn’t allowed Vegas to stay with them in the Pacific.

10. St. Louis Blues

How much can/will the Blues buy at the deadline? They’re 6-3-1 in their last ten and could be a move or two away from being dangerous in the postseason.

9. Boston Bruins

Winners of seven in their last ten, the Bruins have some intriguing questions to answer before the deadline. They’re 17-8-3 away from home.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto slides a bit in our Power Rankings this week after rolling off a 5-4-1 record in their last ten games. Their plus-41 goal differential is indicative of their offense being strong; they should hit 200 goals on the season this weekend.

7. New York Rangers

The Blueshirts are 18-5-3 at Madison Square Garden this season and they could be big-game hunting before the deadline with some intriguing cap space. How much will they go for it this year?

6. Florida Panthers

The Panthers are third in the NHL with 77 points in 54 games, but we bump them down a few spots this week after going 6-4-0 in their last 10. They’re still only one of two teams with a goal differential of at least plus-60.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

Winners of seven in their last ten ad with a plus-34 goal differential, the Penguins are positioned to make life interesting in the playoffs once again. It appears Sidney Crosby doesn’t realize how long he’s been in the league.

4. Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes have the fourth-best goal differential in the league (plus-55) and rank second in the NHL with 79 points. But they’re 6-2-2 in their last 10 and there are three teams playing hotter hockey right now.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Apparently, coaches can get an early trip to the showers, too. Tampa’s 7-2-1 in their last 10, however, and have a plus-32 goal differential. They’ll be ready to chase a three-peat when the postseason begins.

2. Calgary Flames

Calgary burns their way up to near the top of our power rankings this week on the heels of an 8-1-1 stretch. They’re up to a plus-56 goal differential, which is third in the league behind the Panthers and the top team in our rankings again this week.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Good luck winning in Denver! The Avs are 23-3-2 at home, own the best goal differential in the league (plus-64 through 55 games) and have won seven of their last ten. They’re positioned to make life hell for anyone/everyone in the Western Conference.