NHL Western Conference
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a widely followed and beloved sport in North America and around the world. With its action, physicality, and skillful displays of athleticism, hockey has captured the hearts of millions of fans. In North America, the NHL is the premier professional hockey league, and each season, fans eagerly anticipate the regular season and playoffs to see their favorite teams compete for the ultimate prize – the Stanley Cup.
In the NHL, the teams are divided into two conferences – the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into four divisions, with the Western Conference consisting of the Pacific and Central Divisions. In this article, we will focus on the Pacific Division, specifically examining the regular season and playoff performances of the teams in the division over the past two seasons.
The Pacific Division is made up of seven teams – the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Vegas Golden Knights. The teams in this division are spread out across the western United States and western Canada, with a mix of large market and small market teams.
The Pacific Division is known for its fast and physical style of play, with several top contenders for the Stanley Cup often emerging from this division. Over the past two seasons, there have been some standout performances as well as some disappointments in the Pacific Division. Let’s take a closer look at the regular season and playoff performances of each team in the division.
Anaheim Ducks:
The Ducks have been a consistent playoff team over the past two seasons, making it to the postseason in both years. However, they have struggled to make a deep playoff run, failing to get past the second round. In the regular season, they have finished with a record of 44 wins, 25 losses, and 13 overtime losses in the 2018-2019 season, and 29 wins, 33 losses, and 9 overtime losses in the shortened 2019-2020 season.
Arizona Coyotes:
The Coyotes have had a tough time in the Pacific Division, finishing near the bottom of the standings in both seasons. In the 2018-2019 season, they had 39 wins, 35 losses, and 8 overtime losses, while in the shortened 2019-2020 season, they had 33 wins, 29 losses, and 8 overtime losses. However, the Coyotes have shown signs of improvement and have a young and talented team that could make a turnaround in the near future.
Calgary Flames:
The Flames have been one of the top teams in the Pacific Division over the past two seasons. In the 2018-2019 season, they finished with a record of 50 wins, 25 losses, and 7 overtime losses, earning them the top spot in the Western Conference standings. However, they were upset in the first round of the playoffs. In the shortened 2019-2020 season, they had 36 wins, 27 losses, and 7 overtime losses, but were unable to replicate their regular season success in the postseason.
Edmonton Oilers:
The Oilers have been a consistent playoff team, but they have struggled to move past the first round in recent years. In the 2018-2019 season, they had 35 wins, 38 losses, and 9 overtime losses, while in the shortened 2019-2020 season, they had 37 wins, 25 losses, and 9 overtime losses. With superstar players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have the talent to make a deeper run in the playoffs in the future.
Los Angeles Kings:
The Kings have been one of the most successful teams in the Pacific Division over the past decade, winning two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. However, their performance has declined in recent years, and they have missed the playoffs in both seasons. In the 2018-2019 season, they had 31 wins, 42 losses, and 9 overtime losses, while in the shortened 2019-2020 season, they had 29 wins, 35 losses, and 6 overtime losses. The Kings will be looking to bounce back and return to their winning ways in the upcoming seasons.
San Jose Sharks:
The Sharks have been one of the most consistent teams in the Pacific Division, making the playoffs in both seasons and even reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 2018-2019 season. They had 46 wins, 27 losses, and 9 overtime losses that season, but were unable to replicate their success in the shortened 2019-2020 season, finishing with 29 wins, 36 losses, and 5 overtime losses. With veteran players like Joe Thornton and Brent Burns, the Sharks have the experience and leadership to make another deep playoff run.
Vegas Golden Knights:
The newest addition to the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights have quickly established themselves as a top team in the league, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season in 2018. In the 2018-2019 season, they had 43 wins, 32 losses, and 7 overtime losses, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. In the shortened 2019-2020 season, they had 39 wins, 24 losses, and 8 overtime losses, and were poised for another deep playoff run before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a talented roster and strong fan support, the Golden Knights are a team to watch in the coming years.
The Pacific Division in the NHL Western Conference has seen a mix of success and struggles over the past two seasons. While some teams have consistently made the playoffs, others have been rebuilding and looking to improve their performance. As with any sport, anything can happen in the playoffs, and it will be exciting to see which team will emerge as the Pacific Division champion and compete for the Stanley Cup in the upcoming seasons.
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