VGK Faces Slim Odds to Claim Pacific Division Title with 10 Games Left
After a win in Dallas, Vegas stumbled in Winnipeg two nights later. The three-goal loss dropped the Golden Knights to third place in the Pacific Division.
That same night, Anaheim and Edmonton both won. Those results widened Vegas’ gap in the standings.
Standings and projections
Vegas is now on pace for about 90.4 points. That is roughly a dozen points below the franchise average of 102.4.
VGK now faces slim odds to win the Pacific Division with 10 games left. Most projection models list Anaheim as an 82% favorite to claim the division.
Those models give Vegas roughly an 8% chance. Closing a near six-point deficit without head-to-head games is difficult.
Recent Pacific Division history
| Season | Champion (Points) | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames (111) | By 7 points |
| 2022-23 | Vegas Golden Knights (111) | By 2 points |
| 2023-24 | Vancouver Canucks (109) | By 5 points |
| 2024-25 | Vegas Golden Knights (110) | By 5 points |
In 2021-22, Calgary led by nine points with 10 games remaining. Edmonton narrowed the gap but gained only two points on the Flames.
The Flames and Oilers did not meet in their final ten games. That absence of direct matchups helped protect Calgary’s lead.
Vegas’ 2022-23 finish was electrifying. The team won six games and collected a point in nine of their last ten contests.
Edmonton, however, ripped off 14 wins in their final 15 games. The Oilers pushed hard but ran out of time.
In 2023-24, Vancouver overtook Vegas in mid-January. The Canucks held a five-point edge with 10 games left and never surrendered it.
One year ago, Vegas preserved a five-point lead with 10 games remaining. Los Angeles crept within one point, but Vegas closed strong.
Three of the last four division winners had smaller advantages than Anaheim holds now. None of those teams lost their leads.
What this means for the playoffs
Vegas can still narrow the gap with strong home results in the coming days. Yet historical trends favor the current leader.
If standings hold, Vegas would likely face Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the opening round. That matchup would largely decide who hosts Game 1.
Both teams must also keep an eye on the Kings and Kraken behind them. A late surge by those clubs could still reshape seeding.
Reporting for Filmogaz.com.
