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VGK’s Craig Joins Pacific Division Coaching Carousel

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On June 19, 2026

In Team Ops

(Credit: NHL.com)

Next season four Pacific Division teams will play for a new head coach. Edmonton, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Vegas have all announced or are close to announcing their new bench bosses for 2026-27. Yesterday, the Golden Knights predictably introduced Ryan Craig as their new head coach. The Canucks and Kings have hired their new leaders, and the Oilers will be announcing controversial coach Mike Babcock next week. It’s rare that half of the division changed coaches in the same offseason. Especially when three out of the four organizations have incredibly high expectations.

Pacific Division Head Coaches

  • Anaheim – Joel Quennville: NHL Record (1012-605-156), 3 Stanley Cup Rings
  • Calgary – Ryan Huska: NHL Record (113-106-29)
  • Edmonton – Mike Babcock: NHL Record (700-418-164), 1 Stanley Cup Ring
  • Los Angeles – Peter Laviolette: NHL Record (846-562-161) 1 Stanley Cup Ring
  • San Jose – Ryan Warsofsky: NHL Record (59-85-20)
  • Seattle – Lane Lambert: NHL Record (95-83-31)
  • Vancouver – Manny Maholtra: NHL Record (0-0-0)
  • Vegas – Ryan Craig: NHL Record (0-0-0)

This upcoming season, the Pacific Division will feature two rookie head coaches. However, the pressure is only on Craig. While there was a shift on the bench, the Golden Knights are still expected to compete for the division and make another deep playoff run. Hopefully, even further than this past postseason.

This is a unique situation in the sense that I am a first-time head coach, but I do know a lot of people in the room. I’ve won with guys in the room. That didn’t mean because I was an assistant coach, there weren’t tough conversations had, there wasn’t accountability held by myself with those guys, and the standards. So, I am in a different chair now, but I do know that those guys in the room there is a level of respect that we need to believe between all of us. And there is also a shared goal in the sense of trying to win a Stanley Cup. – Ryan Craig, VGK head coach

Already, the oddsmakers are expecting another strong season despite having an inexperienced NHL head coach. Currently on the William Hill sports app, Vegas is a small favorite to clinch the top seed in the Pacific. William Hill calculated the Golden Knights in the top four to win the 2027 Stanley Cup, and second to go back-to-back as Western Conference champions. Without even coaching his first game, the pressure is on Craig to continue VGK’s postseason success like the four coaches that preceded him.

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After A Firing, A Hiring And A Three Game Win Streak VGK Has Third Best Chance To Win Cup

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On April 7, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

As of today, the Golden Knights have the third-best chance to win the 2026 Stanley Cup. Since March 29th, MoneyPuck’s playoff odds have elevated Vegas four spots to 9% after swapping coaches and going undefeated in three straight games. Playoff odds models won’t use a coaching change in their calculations but coincidentally, Vegas had a 5.5% chance of winning the championship the day Bruce Cassidy was relieved from his duties. A positive goal differential and three victories later, the Golden Knights have boosted their chances by almost four points.

With a victory tonight, the Golden Knights have the ability to guarantee themselves a .500 or better record under new boss John Tortorella. Since his arrival, the Golden Knights are 3-0-0, defeated a Stanley Cup contender on the road, and have a +9 goal differential in nine periods. Also, each game ended in regulation, which has been a bit of a rarity this season. It’s been nothing but success in the extremely short sample size. The Golden Knights are a sizable favorite tonight (-278) and should be one again when they face Seattle on Thursday. As long as they continue moving their feet and building back their confidence.

I think we’re buying into the mindset of just playing fast hockey, checking, moving our feet and playing teams really tight and aggressively and getting up in people’s faces. We’re kind of building our confidence back and our swag in that department, so it’s been good. – Colton Sissons

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With Ten Games Left Pacific Division Crown Likely Out Of Reach For VGK

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On March 25, 2026

In Team Ops

(Credit: NHL.com)

On Sunday, Vegas defeated a heavyweight in Dallas, only to stumble two nights later in Winnipeg. To make it even worse, both Anaheim and Edmonton took care of their own business on the same night. After last night’s loss in Winnipeg, the Golden Knights are now on pace for a dozen fewer points than their franchise average of 102.4 in an 82-game season. Adding insult to injury, Vegas’ three-goal defeat dropped them into third in a tight Pacific Division.

While it’s mathematically still possible, it’s become highly unlikely the Golden Knights will overtake the Anaheim Ducks for the Pacific Division crown. With 10 games left, the Pacific Division is slipping away for Vegas. Most projection models have Anaheim as an 82% favorite to win the Pacific. The same models give Vegas only an 8% chance. Closing in on a six-point differential is an uphill climb, especially without games against the team they are chasing.

Pacific Division Winners Since COVID

  • 2021-22: CGY 111 (By 7 Points)
  • 2022-23: VGK 111 (By 2 Points)
  • 2023-24: VAN 109 (By 5 Points)
  • 2024-25: VGK 110 (By 5 Points)

In the NHL’s first 82-game season since the pandemic, the Calgary Flames won the Pacific Division by seven standings points in 2021-22. With 10 games left, Calgary held a nine-point advantage over Edmonton. The Oilers made a run but ultimately gained only two points on the Flames. The two teams didn’t face each other in the final 10 games which could’ve benefited the chasing Oilers. That same situation will play out for Vegas and Anaheim.

On their run to their Stanley Cup championship, the Golden Knights finished off the 2022-23 regular season on fire. Vegas won six games and picked up a point in nine out of the final 10. However, they ended just two points ahead of Edmonton for first place in the Pacific Division.

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As Pacific Division Slips, It’s Imperative VGK Locks In Second Seed

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On March 20, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Last night, the Golden Knights put themselves in a deeper hole in their pursuit of the top seed in the Pacific Division. Vegas went scoreless for their second straight game, both against playoff opponents. Dating back to March 14th’s 4-0 victory over the woeful Chicago Blackhawks, the Golden Knights have not scored in the last seven periods, 147 minutes and nine seconds. Unfortunately, it’s beginning to look like Vegas is more of a second or third seed rather than a divisional winner. Thankfully, one of VGK’s biggest rivals is trending in the same direction.

With Leon Draisaitl now out for the regular season, the Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers will need all the help they can get to qualify for the playoffs. Like Vegas, Edmonton’s regular season has been underwhelming, but both have an 80%, or better, chance of making the 2026 postseason. While the Oilers deal with a devastating injury loss the Golden Knights have a chance to avoid them or host them in April’s opening round.

Trusted projection sites have both the Golden Knights and Oilers ending up with around 91 to 93 points. The same sites have the Anaheim Ducks winning the Pacific, but only by 2 points. This welcomes the opportunity for Vegas to leapfrog both and finish the season as the top seed in the division. The Golden Knights would actually have to start winning some games to do so. Since the Olympic break, Vegas has the 30th worst points percentage with .364. Above only Seattle and Toronto.

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Pacific Division had an historically horrible evening on Thursday. VGK have been fortunate that their struggles have coincided with literally everyone else they are competing with for a playoff spot. Vegas has amassed just eight points since the Olympic Break, yet has not lost any ground on Seattle, lost just four points on the Kings and Sharks, and only five on Edmonton.

With Anaheim off last night, the Ducks watched as Edmonton and Vegas both failed to climb any closer. Anaheim has the edge in the all-important ‘games in hand’ statistic, and they face 10 non-playoff teams in their final 14 games, whereas Vegas will face seven.

So, maybe the division is slipping away for the Golden Knights, and they are more of a Pacific Division’s second or third seed, or even worse, falling to one of the two Wild Card spots. However, if Draisaitl fully recovers for the postseason, the Oilers will be a problem.

(Credit: HockeyStats.com)

Vegas can combat that by holding home ice and returning to their seven-game successful form back in January. They need to be looking up at the standings, now down, and that starts tomorrow in Nashville.

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From Contenders to Concern: VGK’s Slide Continues

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On March 9, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Last night’s 4-2 divisional loss to the Edmonton Oilers capped off a difficult two-game homestand for the Golden Knights. Vegas’ last month or so has been a challenge to say the least. Since their Olympic break return, the Golden Knights are 2-5-0, dropped out first place, and lost captain Mark Stone to injury.

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VGK’s latest skid caught the eye of some of the league’s prognosticators. According to the experts, Vegas is in a downward trend.

(Credit: ESPN)

The last time ESPN released its power rankings, the Golden Knights were the 10th-highest-rated team. According to their latest release, Vegas is 12th. Still, the Golden Knights remain a contending Western Conference club, but in reality, they’re a second place team in a below-average division and slipping quickly.

Based on points and success, the West will run through the Central Division. All three, Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, are a combined +160 in goal differential this season. The Pacific Division is -157.

Top 16 Teams In NHL By Points

  1. Colorado Avalanche – 95 Points
  2. Dallas Stars – 88 Points
  3. Carolina Hurricanes – 86 Points
  4. Minnesota Wild – 85 Points
  5. Buffalo Sabres – 84 Points
  6. Tampa Bay Lightning – 82 Points
  7. Detroit Red Wings – 79 Points
  8. Montreal Canadiens – 78 Points
  9. Pittsburgh Penguins – 78 Points
  10. New York Islanders – 77 Points
  11. Boston Bruins – 76 Points
  12. Columbus Blue Jackets – 73 Points
  13. Anaheim Ducks – 73 Points
  14. Utah Mammoth – 72 Points
  15. Vegas Golden Knights – 72 Points
  16. Ottawa Senators – 71 Points

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VGK Primed For Annual Success Down The Stretch

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On February 27, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Last season, the Golden Knights finished the season in first place in the Pacific Division with 110 points. Currently, the local club is on pace for 99 points but another first-place finish. Based on previous years, Vegas could mimic their remaining 24 games and skate into the playoffs playing their best hockey.

VGK’s Success With 24 Games Remaining Under Bruce Cassidy

  • 2024-25: 16-4-4 (36 Points)
  • 2023-24: 13-10-1 (27 Points)
  • 2022-23: 16-4-4 (36 Points)

VGK have collected 36 points in two of the last three seasons and with the 12th easiest schedule left, should be looking to do it for a third time under Bruce Cassidy. Even with the somewhat down year, the Golden Knights average a .643 points percentage from late February to mid-April. If Cassidy’s club can match their seasonal points percentage average, then Vegas will reach the century mark by season’s end.

In the six full seasons dating back to the Golden Knights inaugural season, each Pacific Division victor earned more than 105 points. That’s more than attainable for VGK down the stretch.

Full Season Pacific Division Winners Since 2018

  • 2024-25: Vegas (110 Points)
  • 2023-24: Vancouver (109 Points)
  • 2022-23: Vegas (111 Points)
  • 2021-22: Calgary (111 Points)
  • 2018-19: Calgary (107 Points)
  • 2017-18: Vegas (109 Points)

Sure, Vegas is on a difficult East Coast road trip, but they have dealt with the same type of late-season travel in years past. The Golden Knights picked up points in three out of four late season eastern conference away games last year and won four out of five on the East Coast in 2023. Both seasons, VGK finished in first place and held home ice advantage to start the postseason.

Heading into tonight’s out-of-conference matchup in Washington, Vegas will play four straight playoff contenders at their home arenas. It’s not an easy week, but their history shows they can manage a lengthy opposite coast road trip with 20 or so games remaining, especially when they are healthy, or at least close.

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Sagarin Ratings Show Vegas On Lower End Of Top Tier

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On February 16, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

For those who love March Madness or regular season college football, you’re probably aware of well-known statistician Jeff Sagarin. For over 40 years, the Sagarin Ratings have been a staple for tracking NCAA team success.

Sagarin’s ratings are particularly relevant in the world of college football and basketball where, with hundreds of teams in NCAA Division 1 competition, there is no way a team can play against more than a small fraction of its competitors. Therefore, in determining the participants in championship games and tournaments, it is necessary to distinguish between teams that have compiled impressive win–loss records against strong competition and teams that have defeated weaker opponents. –Wikipedia.com

Well, Sagarin decided to branch off with his ratings and cover most mainstream sports, including the one we all love.

Through 57 games, Sagarin rates the Golden Knights as the 9th-best team in the NHL. However, Vegas is ranked 17th based on its recent body of work. One of the reasons for the latest dip is VGK’s 3-10 record against Top 10 teams. Going deeper, Vegas is 7-14 against Top 16 clubs. Nevertheless, Sagarin’s model projects for the Golden Knights to finish in the Top 10 by season’s end.

Sagarin’s Top Ten Predictor

  1. Colorado Avalanche
  2. Tampa Bay Lightning
  3. Carolina Hurricanes
  4. Dallas Stars
  5. Buffalo Sabres
  6. Minnesota Wild
  7. Utah Mammoth
  8. Montreal Canadiens
  9. Washington Capitals
  10. Vegas Golden Knights

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