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Pacific Division: Midseason review
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers’ season got off to a rocky start following their finals appearance last year, but head coach Kris Knoblauch has managed to retain his position. Despite early struggles, the team’s ESBC Power AI metrics indicated strong underlying performance, and results have since started to swing in Edmonton’s favor. As expected, the team’s success largely hinges on the superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The latter has already tallied an impressive 31 goals and 33 assists this season.
Goaltending, however, remains a concern, with the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard posting save percentages below expected goals against. The early-season gap they allowed Vegas Golden Knights to build may cost them the division title, but with their roster, another deep playoff run is well within reach.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have had a stellar start to the season, sitting atop the Pacific Division with 61 points. Captain Mark Stone has led by example since his return, and ESBC Power AI metrics highlight him as the team’s most impactful player. Jack Eichel is also delivering an excellent season, contributing 43 primary assists so far.
Defensively, Brayden McNabb’s unsung, steady play has been crucial. While Vegas’s expected goals (xG) metrics are not among the league’s best, their goaltending duo of Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov has significantly outperformed expectations, helping mitigate defensive weaknesses.
Although Vegas leads the Western Conference, they are not the absolute favorites for conference supremacy. Nonetheless, their strong foundation of 61 points positions them well for the remainder of the season.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are on pace for a top-three finish in the Pacific, a commendable feat considering they have played the entire season without Drew Doughty. Vladislav Gavrikov and Mikey Anderson have stepped up defensively, while Brandt Clarke has added offensive firepower from the blue line.
In the forward ranks, the team’s hallmark has been balanced scoring, with six players on track to reach the 20-goal mark. The Kings’ games have been characterized by low-scoring affairs, reflected in both actual results and xG metrics.
Goaltending has been inconsistent; Darcy Kuemper has been solid, but David Rittich’s struggles in ESBC Power AI’s metrics could impact single-game evaluations.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver entered the season with high expectations, but the early going has been slightly underwhelming. Injuries to key players such as Thatcher Demko, Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, and Filip Hronek disrupted their rhythm. With most of these players now returning to health, an uptick in form is anticipated. ESBC Power AI ratings for the Canucks stabilized after an early-season dip, suggesting potential for improvement if the lineup regains full strength.
Bright spots include Finnish goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who excelled in Demko’s absence. Vancouver is most likely to contend for one of the Western Conference’s wild card spots.
Seattle Kraken
Seattle has been one of the Pacific Division’s biggest disappointments, amassing only 39 points in 44 games. The Kraken’s offense has been consistently underwhelming, lacking the depth and quality seen in teams like the Kings. Defensively, summer signing Brandon Montour has been decent but far from transformative.
The disparity between their goaltenders, Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, is striking. Grubauer’s poor performance significantly drags down the team’s playoff hopes. There’s little reason to believe Seattle can reverse its fortunes and return to the postseason this year.
Calgary Flames
Expectations were modest for Calgary this season, but the Flames remain in the playoff hunt. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has been a revelation, outperforming Dan Vladar and entering the Calder Trophy conversation. Offensively, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri lead the charge, while rookie Matt Coronato is quietly having a solid campaign.
Calgary’s defense is reliable but lacks offensive punch, leaving room for improvement as the Flames fight to secure a postseason berth.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks began the season with low expectations but have surpassed them in terms of points. ESBC Power AI metrics, however, reveal significant underlying weaknesses. Their surprising success is largely thanks to goaltenders Lukas Dostal and John Gibson, who have delivered performances well above expected goals.
Troy Terry and Jackson LaCombe are among the few skaters making a positive impact. With the trade deadline approaching, pending free agents Robby Fabbri and Brock McGinn are likely trade candidates.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose entered the season with similar expectations to Anaheim but has failed to exceed them, sitting last in the Pacific. While the Sharks occasionally pull off surprising wins, their defensive issues (158 goals against) make consistent success unattainable.
Betting enthusiasts should monitor goaltender starts; Yaroslav Askarov, acquired from Nashville, has shown flashes of brilliance and could push Alexandar Georgiev for starts. As the trade deadline nears, Mikael Granlund’s potential movement adds a layer of intrigue for Finnish fans.
The Pacific Division’s midseason standings highlight a mix of consistent top-tier performances and struggling franchises. With injuries, emerging stars, and trade activity shaping the remainder of the season, the division promises an exciting conclusion.
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