Hockey East Week 17 Power Rankings

BC - x (16-5-0, 32 pts)

UNH - x (15-4-2, 32 pts)

Merrimack - x (13-5-3, 29 pts)

BU - x (11-5-5, 27 pts)

Maine (9-8-4, 22 pts)

Northeastern (8-8-5, 21 pts)

UMass (5-11-5, 15 pts)

Vermont (5-12-4, 14 pts)

Providence (3-12-6, 12 pts)

Lowell (3-18-0, 6 pts)

x - clinched playoff spot

For the first time all year, each team in Hockey East has played the same number - 21 - of conference games. It's the first time that the standings are truly relevant, and the standings show Providence and Lowell on the outside looking in as Vermont and UMass battle for 7th, Northeastern and Maine duke it out for 5th and Merrimack starts breathing down the neck of UNH and BC. With only a six-pack of games to kill, it's time to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Without further ado, the Week 17 power rankings:

1. Boston College - They’re number one in the nation for a reason. They’ve beaten BU four times in the last ten weeks. And they now get Northeastern three times in six days. It’s safe to say that they realize the latter of those two matchups are the more important ones, especially with UNH slipping this weekend.

2. Merrimack - They weren’t supposed to beat UNH at the Whitt. And they definitely weren’t supposed to beat them without leading scorer Stephane Da Costa. But they did. And now they’re ahead of the Wildcats in the Pairwise, with only UMass, Maine and Providence ahead of them. That should scare just about everyone.

3. UNH - The team that a week ago looked like a strong candidate for number one nationally suddenly may not even be the second-best team in its conference anymore. As @LmBruins46 put it, “This is the first time this year that I'm willing to admit that we might not have what it takes to go all the way.” It’s really that simple.

4. BU - A much-improved Terriers squad took BC to the limit in round one of the Beanpot. Then they took care of business against UMass in overtime. They’ve been through a rough stretch this season, but they’re persevering - now they just need to persevere back into the top 15 of the Pairwise.

5. Northeastern - For a brief, shining moment, the Huskies were alone in fifth, ahead of Maine and making BU a little uncomfortable. But where they are now matters little; Northeastern closes with home-and-homes with BC, UNH and BU. They’re good enough to split or win each of those series, but it’s highly unlikely. Still, a six-seed and a quarterfinal match with Merrimack could be just what they’d love to have.

6. Maine - They still don’t play defense. They’re still suspect beyond their top two lines. And their goaltending continues to be terrible. But somehow, Tim Whitehead’s squad does just enough to keep treading water. That won’t be enough for much longer.

7. UMass - If not for Chase Langeraap, the Minutemen are tied with Vermont for seventh with Providence only a point away. Instead, they’re alone in seventh. But they’re a long way from sixth, and this team isn’t built to contend with UNH or BC.

8. Vermont - An offensive explosion on Friday night was followed by an anemic showing against a team that doesn’t play defense. Suddenly, the Cats are really looking forward to that season-ending series with Lowell.

9. Providence - Alex Beaudry may be getting hot at the right time. He stopped 72 of 78 shots on the weekend, but also let in a goal that kept his team out of eighth place at the end of Saturday night’s game. The Friars don’t score much, so they’ll need him if they’re to have any hope.

10. Lowell - That they took a hot Northeastern team to OT on Friday shows that this team has grown up as the year’s gone on. It won’t help them any in the next month, but it’s enough to give them hope for next year.