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What’s Going on in the Pacific Division: Golden Knights and Oilers are neck-and-neck for the division lead

Photo credit: Christopher Trim-Imagn Images

By Cynthia Ryley Delaney

Oct 20, 2026, 22:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 20, 2026, 21:47 EDT

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Can you believe we’re already three weeks into the 2026-27 season?

Some teams in the Pacific Division have already played double-digit games, including the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. They and the Edmonton Oilers are near locks to make the post-season, but the third and potentially final guaranteed playoff spot for the division is up for grabs.

Let’s take a look at what happened this past week in the Pacific Division!

Anaheim Ducks

After a 4-1-0 start, the Anaheim Ducks had a tough week. Taking on the Calgary Flames in a rematch from three days prior, the Ducks fell, giving the Flames their first win of the season. That was the result of their second game as well, as they lost to the Boston Bruins. In their first game of a four-game road trip, the Ducks fell 5-2 to the New York Rangers to move their losing streak to three.

It’s way too early to look at the standings, but their 4-4-0 start hasn’t been a great one. This week, they’ll continue that Eastern Conference road trip, taking on the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, and the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Calgary Flames

All things considered, last week was a solid one for the Calgary Flames. After beginning their season on a 0-5-0 skid, they picked up their first victory thanks to a 4-2 road win over the Ducks. Their two-game road trip didn’t end well, falling 6-2 to the Golden Knights, but they picked up their first win at the Saddledome, defeating the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2.

The Flames will remain in Alberta this week, hosting the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, and Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers remained the last team without a regulation loss, but last Thursday, the Utah Mammoth finally cracked the code thanks to a 4-2 victory. Sandwiched in between the loss was a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and a 6-2 victory over the Mammoth in a rematch.

So far this season, the Oilers have been a far better road team, starting the season 5-0-0, while owning just a 1-1-1 record on home ice. That’s bad news for the other Albertan team, as they begin a five-game home stand with a match-up against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. They’ll also play the Hurricanes on Thursday, Maple Leafs on Saturday, and the Red Wings on Monday.

Los Angeles Kings

The last winless team remaining this season are the Kings, who are 0-4-2 through six games. They only played two games this past week, falling 4-1 to both the Oilers and Bruins, all while scoring just 12 goals. For context, Connor McDavid has 23 points so far this season.

Anyway, the Kings begin a five-game road trip, starting with four games on the east coast. On Tuesday, they play the Washington Capitals, followed by the Islanders on Thursday, the Devils on Saturday, and the Rangers on Monday.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are in the same boat as the Ducks early in the season, a young team who will contend for third place in the Pacific Division. So far this season, they’re 4-4-1, posting a mediocre week of 1-2-1. They lost 6-3 to the Bruins and 3-1 to the Maple Leafs, as well as a 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings. Their lone victory was a 3-2 shootout win over the Nashville Predators.

Like the Kings and Ducks, the Sharks are out east this week, taking on the Montréal Canadiens on Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and Bruins on Saturday.

Seattle Kraken

Currently occupying the third spot in the Pacific Division are the Seattle Kraken, who have begun their season 5-3-1. Last week wasn’t a great one for the league’s youngest team, as they defeated the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout, fell 4-3 in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and 8-3 to the Florida Panthers.

That loss to the Panthers was the final game of their five-game road trip where they went 3-1-1. They’ll return home this week to host the Red Wings on Tuesday, the Mammoth on Thursday, and the Wild on Saturday.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks began their season 2-1-0, it’s been downhill since. Following a 4-1 victory over the Flames on Oct. 3, they fell 3-2 to the Golden Knights, then 7-2 to the Hurricanes, 4-1 to the Devils, and 6-2 to the Rangers. This past week, they fell 3-2 to the Islanders, 3-2 in overtime to the Panthers, and 4-2 to the Lightning, a seven-game losing streak.

After a six-game Eastern Conference road trip, the Canucks return home to host the Hurricanes on Tuesday, the Red Wings on Thursday, and the Wild on Sunday.

Vegas Golden Knights

Sitting atop the Pacific Division three weeks in are the 2025-26 Western Conference champions, the Golden Knights. They had a strong week, defeating the Predators 5-2 on Tuesday, the Flames 6-2 on Thursday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Saturday.

While their 16 points has them not only on top of the Pacific Division, but the NHL standings, the Oilers actually have a higher point-percentage with .813 compared to the Knights’ .800. This week, the Knights host the Lightning, before hitting the road to take on the St. Louis Blues on Thursday and Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

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