NHL Pacific division race: Ducks seize control amid tight battle

The Anaheim Ducks have unexpectedly grabbed the top spot in the Pacific division with 73 points through 62 games, holding a slim one-point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights at 72 points.[1][2] Edmonton Oilers sit third with 68 points, while Seattle Kraken lurk at 67 as the conference’s second wild card. This race remains fluid with about 20 games left for most teams before the April 16 conclusion. Sunday’s marquee matchup between Edmonton and Vegas could create a four-point swing.

Anaheim’s surge defies preseason expectations, fueled by a favorable remaining schedule. Recent roster moves, like extending forward Ryan Poehling to a four-year, $15 million deal, signal their commitment to contending.As detailed in our recent coverage, this bolsters depth for the stretch run.

Current standings in the Pacific division

Anaheim Ducks top the division at 73 points with 20 regulation wins and 20 games remaining. Their points pace sits at 96.6, with playoff chances at 96.4 percent per Stathletes.[3] A win Sunday against St. Louis could extend their lead to three points if Vegas stumbles.

Vegas Golden Knights follow closely with 72 points, 21 regulation wins, and 19 games left. Listed as P2 in current playoff matchups, they face a tougher road ahead, including rematches with Edmonton and tests against Colorado and Dallas.[2]

Edmonton Oilers hold P3 status at 68 points with 22 regulation wins and 19 games remaining. Their 77 percent playoff odds reflect resilience, but a demanding schedule with two Colorado games and a Tampa Bay clash looms large.

Here’s a snapshot of the top Pacific contenders:

Seattle remains in wild-card contention but trails the division leaders. Lower teams like San Jose (66 points, 78.6 percent odds) add intrigue to the bubble.

Ducks’ schedule advantage stands out

Anaheim holds an edge with just five remaining games against current playoff teams out of 20 total. They’ve finished their series against Vegas and face Edmonton once more on March 28. This softer slate positions them well for consistency.

Vegas faces 10 playoff opponents in 19 games, including two versus Edmonton (March 26, April 4), Colorado, and Dallas twice. Captain Mark Stone’s recent injured reserve stint with an upper-body injury adds pressure, as noted in our update on Golden Knights’ challenges.

Edmonton’s 18 post-Sunday games include 10 against playoff clubs, with Colorado twice and Tampa Bay once. Despite stars like Connor McDavid, forward depth issues persist from earlier slumps.

The Ducks’ path echoes their early-season rise, which reshaped the division dynamic against Vegas, as explored in our November analysis.

Key matchups that could decide the division

Sunday’s Edmonton at Vegas nightcap at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN carries huge weight. A regulation win swings four points in the direct rivalry.

Anaheim hosts St. Louis at 9 p.m. ET, a chance to pull ahead before their lighter schedule kicks in fully. Saturday’s results, like Utah’s OT win over Columbus, indirectly aid by keeping wild cards competitive.

Other pivotal dates include Vegas at Edmonton on March 26 and Anaheim hosting Edmonton on March 28. Cross-conference tilts like Vegas-Dallas and Edmonton-Tampa will test mettle.

Recent trends favor Anaheim, who won seven straight in January behind prospects like Beckett Sennecke. Vegas countered with trades like acquiring Rasmus Andersson for defense.

Playoff implications and draft lottery watch

Current Western matchups pit P1 Anaheim against WC1 Utah Mammoth, P2 Vegas versus P3 Edmonton. Central locks like Colorado (93 points, C1) dominate their side.

Stathletes gives Ducks and Vegas near-even odds above 96 percent, Edmonton at 77 percent.[3] Seattle’s 34 percent highlights wild-card volatility. Bottom feeders Vancouver (46 points) and Calgary (57) eye the draft lottery, with Vancouver leading the No. 1 pick race.

For full standings, check ESPN’s NHL playoff tracker.

Regulation wins tiebreakers could prove crucial if points cluster.

Momentum from Saturday’s slate

Saturday featured Buffalo topping Nashville 3-2 and Tampa Bay routing Toronto 5-2, tightening the Atlantic. In the West, Utah edged Columbus 5-4 OT, Winnipeg outlasted Vancouver 3-2 OT, and Montreal beat LA 4-3.

These outcomes keep pressure on Pacific bubble teams. Anaheim’s steady climb, Vegas’ resilience despite injuries, and Edmonton’s star power set up an epic finish.

As the schedule thins, Anaheim’s edge in opponent strength gives them the nod to claim the division crown. Vegas and Edmonton must navigate gauntlets to challenge. Watch Sunday’s games closely—they could redefine the race. For live updates, see NHL standings on ESPN.[2] The final stretch promises drama until April 16.