NHL Reverse Power Rankings: March 21, 2024

With just a handful of games left in the NHL season, the race for the best odds to draft #1 is hot and heavy. 

The San Jose Sharks currently have a 5-game losing streak, the Anaheim Ducks have a 7-game losing streak, and the Blue Jackets are 4-4-2 in their last 10. Of the bottom 10 teams, only Columbus and Arizona have .500 records in the last 10 games, while the rest are under .500. 

Let's look at the Reverse Power Rankings for March 21, 2024, and who they could draft. 

1. San Jose Sharks - 68gp; 30 points - Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University - 55 points in 33 games. 

2. Chicago Blackhawks - 69gp; 43 points - Ivan Demidov, RW/C, St. Petersburg (MHL) - 60 points in 30 games. 

3. Anaheim Ducks - 69gp; 49 points - Konsta Helenius, C/RW, Jukurit (LIIGA) - 36 points in 51 games.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets - 69gp; 58 points - Cayden Lindstrom, F, Medicine Hat (WHL) - 46 points in 32 games. 

5. Ottawa Senators - 67gp; 60 points - Artyom Levshunov, RD, Michigan State Univ. - 32 points in 35 games. 

The rest of the Reverse Top 10 is as follows:

6. Arizona Coyotes - 61 points

7. Montreal Canadiens - 62 points

8. Seattle Kraken - 68 points

9. Pittsburgh Penguins - 69 points

10. New Jersey Devils - 70 points

Most teams have 13 games to go in the season, but those could prove costly for teams like San Jose and Ottawa who have a few games in hand. So far though, San Jose has understood the assignment and will probably do whatever it takes to get "local" product Macklin Celebrini. Something tells me nothing will stop them from getting their guy.

From a Columbus perspective, they're in a bit of a tight race, as only four points separate them from 7th place Montreal. If you're in the Pro-Tank club, you should be happy. With 13 games left to play, the Jackets have nine games against current playoff teams. That number could climb to 10 if the New York Islanders can find some wins. 

From the start of the season, it was always thought Columbus would draft anywhere from 4th to 8th, so they're right on pace for that. 

What's Next - The Jackets will face the Avalanche on Friday in Colorado. 

More From THN Columbus

Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.