The Pacific Division Thread

Clif

Super Star
Updates on the division throughout the year could be fun.

My thoughts so far:

Vegas: Seems the only way to beat EDM if you’re not the Panthers is to outscore them in a track meet. Vegas should be able to do that now. Grateful their defense and goaltending took a step back, but still class of the division.

Edmonton: I expected a slowish start but I also expected more goals from McDavid so far. The McDavid extension has to be a sigh of relief for a team tired from so much hockey. I expect big things next year (sadly). But not this year.

Seattle: Marginal team who made improvements at the margins, even though the Marchment trade was one of the best deals of the summer. I am surprised. But they also look to have regained that nasty, stingy style that’s a pain to play against. They’re less skilled than the Kings but play grittier. It looks ironically like the way Hiller actually wants the Kings to play if only he could coach.

Anaheim: I won’t be a believer until they sustain this level of play for half a season. They’re scoring at a good clip though, I admit it.

Vancouver: What I expected. Adequately competitive but not intimidating. 50/50 looking team to make the playoffs. Petterson is humiliating himself so far and vindicating Miller. I’m really watching him. Another season like last year’s and his contract will be regarded as one of the biggest albatrosses in the league.

Calgary: I didn’t believe in them and was shocked they did virtually nothing this offseason. But this is really really bad. Wolf calling out his teammates for not scoring is great drama, especially when they lost the very next game 5-3 (one empty net) and another game shortly after at 4-3. They scored more since he called them out. Trouble is he let in more too.

San Jose: Knew they’d be fun. Still didn’t expect playoffs. But seeing them the other night makes me think they could actually be closer than I thought. But wow that goaltender.
 
Pacific Div is definitely gonna be a lot tighter at the end of this season, I think. The Kings will need to stay on their toes and not slack off before the Olympic break!
 
These are my thoughts I guess.

Expected to be good - Vegas and Edmonton
Surprises so far - Anaheim and Seattle having a good start. And either I've been in a hole but I am surprised Calgary has started off this bad.
Expected to be bad - San Jose
 

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