Where The Golden Knights Stand In Tiebreaker Scenarios Against Each Pacific Division Contender

With just four games to go, the Golden Knights have basically eliminated the threat of falling out of the playoffs, but there are still plenty of different scenarios that could play out regarding seeding.

Because the teams are all so close, there’s a strong chance for it to come down to tiebreakers to determine where many of the teams in the jam-packed Pacific Division land. Here’s how the Golden Knights sit in each tiebreaker.

*There’s a summary at the end for those who don’t want to get into the weeds.*

Tiebreaker #1
The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., ‘Regulation Wins’). This figure is reflected in the RW column.

Oilers: 31
Golden Knights: 28
Sharks: 25
Anaheim: 24
Kings: 19

Despite trailing everyone but Los Angeles in total wins among the competing teams in the Pacific, the Golden Knights actually sit in a decent spot in the first tiebreaker.

VGK already have it sealed up against LA and one more win before overtime will lock it in over the Ducks.

To pass Edmonton, VGK will have to win each of the final four games in regulation and hope the Oilers do not tally a single regulation win in their final three games. If Edmonton gets one in regulation, it’ll head to Tiebreaker #2, which isn’t good for Vegas.

As for San Jose, they must make up seven standings points on VGK, which means the Golden Knights only need two more wins to clinch their place over SJS outright. However, if VGK fail to win again, or win just one out of the final four games, San Jose would need at least three of their wins to occur in regulation to claw this tiebreaker back.

Tiebreaker #2
The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.

Oilers: 40
Golden Knights: 35
San Jose: 35
Anaheim: 33
Los Angeles: 27

Since San Jose cannot catch Edmonton in Tiebreaker #1, the Oilers have locked up Tiebreaker #2 over the entire division.

To catch Vegas in Tiebreaker #1, the Ducks would have to win all of their final games in regulation, thus they would have 37 wins in this category and 95 points overall. VGK would have to go 3-0-1 to match 95 points. If one of those three wins is in regulation or all three are in OT (before shootout), VGK would hold the tiebreaker. However, if two are in OT and the other is in shootout, then the Ducks and Golden Knights would be tied and it would head to Tiebreaker #3.

As for San Jose, the Sharks would need three more regulation wins to tie VGK in Tiebreaker #1, which would give them at least 38 in Tiebreaker #2. To catch up in the actual standings, VGK can only win once. Thus, if Tiebreaker #2 is needed between VGK and SJS, the Sharks will hold it.

Tiebreaker #3
The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner (i.e., ‘Total Wins’). This figure is reflected in the W column.

Ducks: 41
Oilers: 40
Sharks: 37
Golden Knights: 36
Kings: 32

The only team that can reach Tiebreaker #3 against Vegas is Anaheim, and they have already clinched this category.

Summary

• The Golden Knights are highly unlikely to win the tiebreaker against Edmonton.
• If the Golden Knights tie with the Ducks, VGK will almost certainly hold the tiebreaker.
• Vegas has already clinched the tiebreaker against Los Angeles.
•  If the Golden Knights tie with the Sharks, San Jose will hold the tiebreaker unless most of their wins down the stretch occur in overtime or shootout.