[ad_1]
With less than two weeks remaining until the 2022 NHL trade deadline, GMs are watching their teams closely to determine whether to trade away players, or make additions before the playoff rush.
Speaking of the schedule, this week for the NHL power rankings, we also identified a particularly tough stretch for every club between now and the end of the regular season.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the last edition, published on March 2. Points paces are through Tuesday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: @ CAR (March 10), vs. CGY (March 13), @ LA (March 15)
Beware: March 27-April 5. Five teams. 10 days. It doesn’t sound all that daunting. Until you consider Colorado is facing Minnesota and Calgary on the road, welcomes in San Jose and then tackles a home-and-home against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Established contenders and a potential team in the hunt? Tough sledding.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 0.728
Next seven days: vs. PHI (March 10), @ LA (March 13), @ SJ (March 15)
Beware: March 13-27. No home cooking for (checks notes) two weeks? When you’ve won more games in your own barn than anyone this season? Amazing. And the Panthers’ competition during that stretch will be no slouch, either. Florida heads west to see L.A., San Jose, Vegas and Anaheim, and then goes north to meet Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.741
Next seven days: vs. COL (March 10), vs. PHI (March 12), @ PIT (March 13)
Beware: March 20-29. Seeing Tampa Bay twice in short order? Not ideal. Carolina has a tall task coming up with games every other night. The stretch? The Rangers, Lightning and Stars at home, followed by the Blues, Capitals and Lightning (again!)…
[ad_2]
Source : espn
