PWHL Power Rankings: Week 12 (04/15-04/21)

Welcome to The Ice Garden’s weekly PWHL power rankings! Check back for new installments every week, and remember: if you think your team is ranked too low, it’s definitely totally 100% because we hate them.

After three weeks off, the PWHL power rankings have finally returned! It feels like an eternity since I’ve gotten to make goofy connections and terrible puns that make you wonder why they let me do these (I ask myself that too). But, we’re finally back after a short week of PWHL games, which only started back up on Thursday. Despite just five games being played, there still managed to be a smidge of movement in the middle. The playoff race is now in full gear, with the potential for some dramatic swings this week, so buckle up for a great week of hockey.

New this week is the path to the playoffs for each team, which will be included for the rest of the season. As teams lock spots up, their paths to the best possible seed remaining (or the Gold Plan) will be included instead. For now, the number of points needed to clinch a playoff spot is based on fifth-place Boston reaching a peak of 37 points. Therefore, the points can be attained either through a win or Boston getting anything but a regulation win in any of their remaining games. 

For this week’s theme, I’ve picked out a popular stadium sing-along song and assigned it to each team based on their current state. I’ve spent a lot of time in stadiums recently and have had "Mr. Brightside" stuck in my head for days, so it felt fitting. I’m not sorry for my horrendously punny takes on the lyrics.

#1. Toronto (10-4-0-7, 38 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 1 (-)

This Week’s Results:

• Thu, April 18 @ BOS- 2-1 L
• Sat, April 20 @ MTL- 3-2 OTW

Upcoming Schedule:

• Sun, April 28 @ NYC- 1 p.m. EDT, UBS Arena, Elmont, NY (CBC, MSG, MSG2, MSGHD, PWHL Youtube Channel)

Path to Playoffs: Already clinched a berth, six points away from clinching the top seed (three games remaining)

Sing-Along Song: I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston

They've punched their ticket to the dance and now they’re waiting for others to join. They’re done alright getting here, but it’s a little lonely at the top. While they don’t want to feel the love from another team, they certainly want to feel the heat. But, most of all, they just really want to dance with somebody for five games.

Toronto didn’t have the strongest return from break, with a fairly flat loss to Boston on Thursday. However, in front of a record-breaking 21,105 fans on Saturday, they kicked it into high gear and became the first team in PWHL history to clinch a playoff berth. It wasn’t the first time they brought their best under intense pressure, as they cruised to a 3-0 win in front of their (formerly) record-breaking crowd at Scotiabank Arena back in February. They continue to show up when the lights are brightest, which will come in handy come playoffs. Now, it’s just a matter of keeping the right mindset through these last three games to prepare for playoffs and hopefully secure the top seed.

#2. Montréal (8-3-5-5, 35 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 3 (+1)

This Week’s Results:

• Thu, April 18 vs MIN- 4-3 W
• Sat, April 20 vs TOR- 3-2 OTL

Upcoming Schedule:

• Wed, April 24 vs NYC- 7 p.m. EDT, Verdun Auditorium, Montréal, QC (RDS, MSG, MSGHD, TSN+, PWHL Youtube Channel, Women's Sports Network)
• Sat, April 27 @ OTT- 12:30 p.m. EDT, TD Place, Ottawa, ON (RDS, Sportsnet Pittsburgh, CBS Gem, PWHL Youtube Channel)

Path to Playoffs: Two points from clinching (three games remaining)

Sing-Along Song: Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond

Marie-Philip Poulin (ba ba bah) has returned, and the times have never been so good (so good, so good). After a four-game losing streak, fans may have been inclined to believe they never would be so good again, but since returning to full strength, things don’t feel so lonely. Now, they can focus on reaching out and touch…I mean securing the next playoff berth.

Montréal had themselves quite a week. They kicked it off by showing remarkable resilience to battle back late and win on Wednesday. Then, despite losing in overtime, they played a strong game at the Bell Centre, harnessing the emotions of playing in such a monumental game and using it as motivation instead of succumbing to the pressure. I still believe they’re perhaps the most complete team in the PWHL when they’re at full strength, and if they play to their potential, facing them in a five-game series will be nightmarish.

#3. Minnesota (8-4-3-6, 35 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 2 (-1)

This Week’s Results:

• Thu, April 18 @ MTL- 4-3 L
• Sat, April 20 @ OTT- 4-0 L

Upcoming Schedule:

• Sat, April 27 vs BOS- 1 p.m. CDT, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN (Bally Sports North/Detroit/San Diego/Southern California/Sun/Wisconsin, NESN+, Sportsnet Pittsburgh Plus, PWHL Youtube Channel, Women's Sports Network)

Path to Playoffs: Two points from clinching (three games remaining)

Sing-Along Song: We Will Rock You- Queen

*boom boom clap* Minnesota, you had a rough week, but it’s okay. *boom boom clap* You’re gonna be a big [wo]man and take on the world someday. *boom boom clap* There’s mud on your face, but it’s not a disgrace. *boom boom clap* You’re almost in the playoffs, singin’... *boom boom clap* we will, we will rock you *boom boom clap* (Yes, I’m aware this does not follow any reasonable lyrical beat, but I’m not a songwriter and regret nothing).

Minnesota didn’t have a great first week back. In their first game against Montréal, they had a 3-2 lead with 2:23 remaining, but Montréal managed to score two with a player advantage (once due to an empty net and once on the power play) and take it in regulation. Then, they got shut out by a streaking Ottawa team despite outshooting them 35-22. However, they’re still just two points away from clinching, and they’re not playing poorly despite the rough losses, so there’s no cause for concern yet. They should get back on track in time for playoffs, and at that point, their incredible team chemistry should make things interesting.

#4. Ottawa (8-0-6-6, 30 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 4 (-)

This Week’s Results:

• Sat, April 20 vs MIN- 4-0 W

Upcoming Schedule:

• Wed, April 24 vs BOS- 7 p.m. EDT, TD Place, Ottawa, ON (TSN3, TSN5, NESN+, PWHL Youtube Channel)
• Sat, April 27 vs MTL- 12:30 p.m. EDT, TD Place, Ottawa, ON (RDS, Sportsnet Pittsburgh, CBC Gem, PWHL Youtube Channel)

Path to Playoffs: Seven points from clinching (four games remaining)

Sing-Along Song: Livin’ On A Prayer- Bon Jovi

WOOOOOOAAHHHHH Ottawa is almost there WOOOOOOOOOAAAHHH OH they’re livin’ on a prayer (for playoffs). They swear they’re going to hold on and make it, and right now, I’m inclined to believe them.

Ottawa is feeling good about itself. They came up with a big statement win in their only game of the week and remain fully in control of their playoff dreams. It’s impressive to see how far this team has come after they looked nearly dead in the water following that mid-season losing streak. But, they’re cruising now, and if they can beat Boston in regulation on Wednesday, they’ll be just one point away from clinching a playoff berth. The point gap between the top three teams and Ottawa makes it look like there’s a massive talent disparity, but with the way Ottawa is playing lately, they could make a lot of noise.

#5. Boston (6-4-2-9, 28 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 5 (-)

This Week’s Results:

• Thu, April 18 vs TOR- 2-1 W
• Sat, April 20 @ NYC- 2-1 W

Upcoming Schedule:

• Wed, April 24 @ OTT- 7 p.m. EDT, TD Place, Ottawa, ON (NESN+, TSN3, TSN5, PWHL Youtube Channel)
• Sat, April 27 @ MIN- 2 p.m. EDT, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN (NESN+, Bally Sports North/Detroit/San Diego/Southern California/Sun/Wisconsin, Sportsnet Pittsburgh Plus, PWHL Youtube Channel, Women's Sports Network)

Path to Playoffs: Need to make up three points on Ottawa (three games remaining, and they only trail by two, but Ottawa holds the regulation wins tiebreaker).

Stadium Sing-Along Song: Don’t Stop Believin’- Journey

Don’t Stop! Believin’! Boston is trying to hold onto the feeling of two big regulation wins that kept their playoff dreams alive for another week. They’re working hard to get their fill of points, and everyone wants the thrill of watching this playoff race unfold. At this point, it’s safe to bet on Boston to do whatever it takes to keep rolling the dice and stay alive. However, in the end, some will have to win, and some will lose and sing the blues, but the show will keep going on and on and on.

It was an equally fun and frustrating week for Boston. They played a phenomenal game against Toronto before knocking off New York despite not playing their best. However, it didn’t get them anywhere in the playoff race. Sure, they’re only two points back of Ottawa right now instead of five, but Ottawa still has a game in hand, so nothing changes unless Ottawa loses that game when they play it. So, it’s frustrating to see Boston play better and string together some wins but get nowhere because they couldn’t do it sooner and lost control of their destiny. Their playoff hopes are on the line on Wednesday in Ottawa. A regulation win would be a huge boost, although they still won’t fully control their destiny. However, it’s all but over if they lose in regulation, as they’ll sit just one point away from elimination.

#6. New York (3-4-3-10, 20 points)

Last Installment’s Ranking: 6 (-)

This Week’s Results:

• Sat, April 20 vs BOS- 2-1 L

Upcoming Schedule:

• Wed, April 24 @ MTL- 7 p.m. EDT, Verdun Auditorium, Montréal, QC (MSG, MSGHD, RDS, PWHL Youtube Channel, Women's Sports Network, TSN+)
• Sun, April 28 vs TOR- 1 p.m. EDT, UBS Arena, Elmont, NY (MSG, MSG2, MSGHD, CBC, PWHL Youtube Channel)

Path to Playoffs: Need to make up 11 points on Ottawa (four games remaining, and they only trail by 10, but Ottawa holds the regulation wins tiebreaker)

Stadium Sing-Along Song: Mr. Brightside- The Killers

It started out with a win, how did it end up like this? Open up your (formerly) eager eyes, New York fans: the playoffs aren’t happening for you this year. Don’t let jealousy choke you, because on the Brightside, that means you’re one step closer to the Gold Plan. See? You’re coming out of the playoff race cage match but you’re doing just fine.

There’s not a whole lot to say about New York at this point. Their goaltending remains phenomenal, but the rest of the team has been wildly inconsistent. They only played one game this week, but it was the nail in the coffin of their playoff hopes. Had they beat Boston, the faint hope would’ve continued for another week, but now it’s all but over. However, they’re six points closer to elimination than anyone else, meaning unless they lose all their remaining games in regulation, they’ll have a great chance to secure the first overall pick.