There is no division race more wide open than the Pacific Division right now. The second place team is only ahead of the sixth place team by eight points. With that being said, lets break down where every team is right now and which direction they are trending for the rest of the season
1. Los Angeles Kings (61 points)
Stock: Down
As the division leaders, there is of course nowhere to go but down for the Kings. With Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, the Kings have a solid top scoring line. However, the team is still only 15th in the NHL in offense.
The team is 3rd in the NHL in defense, but they have played star goaltender Jonathan Quick in 40 of the teams 47 games so far this season. Can Quick continue to carry so much of the load this season? While the Kings are currently playing impressive hockey, there are warning signs that tells you that their play could tail off.
2. San Jose Sharks (53 points)
Stock: Down
The Sharks have won seven out of their last 10 games, so it’s easy to understand why their play will soon tail off. Even though the team has been on the best run of the season, they are only two points ahead of second place.
The main problem the Sharks have is with their defense. They give up 2.7 GPG, and it is hard for an offense to carry the team to wins. Martin Jones is still unproven as a starting goaltender, will he be able to handle the pressure down the stretch?
3.Arizona Coyotes (51 points)
Stock: Down
The team gives up 3 GPG, which is not good news for a team barely a playoff contender. Their top defender, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, is more of an offensive minded player, and they do not have enough behind him to make this defender corps above average. Goalie Mike Smith has been terrible, with a 3.06 GAA and a .901 SV%.
The offense has been producing well, but they do not have any for sure scorers. Mikkel Boedker has over his seven year career only one season with more than 40 points. Max Domi is going to be a star in this league, but he is still only a rookie.
4. Vancouver Canucks (51 points)
Stock: Neutral
The Canucks certainly have the star power to get into the playoffs. The Sedin twins are clearly top liners. Alexander Edler and Dan Hamhuis are two of the more reliable defenders in the NHL. Ryan Miller is a Hall of Fame goaltender that has experience to spare.
The problem with this team is that their depth players haven’t pulled their weight yet. At this point, it appears only the Sedin twins will reach the 50-point mark. Alexandre Burrows and Radim Vrbata have disappeared so far this season, and the team needs them to start producing on the second line.
5.Anaheim Ducks (49 points)
Stock: Up
The consensus pick to win the Pacific Division before the season has so far fallen well short of the mark. They are the worst offense in the league, and star players Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf stumbled out of the gate.
However, that has been changing for the Ducks. Perry and Getzlaf have a combined eight points in the last five games. Ryan Kesler has five points in the last five games on the second line. The team has won four of those five games, and they seem to be beginning their climb up the division rankings.
6.Calgary Flames (45 points)
Stock: Up
Johnny Gaudreau has really emerged in the last couple years as one of the most exciting young players in the NHL. He has 20 goals and 46 points in the 45 games he has played in this year.
The defense is a solid unit. T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano are both all star caliber players. Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman can be considered an impressive blue line. What was holding this team back was the goaltending situation, but Karri Ramo has been on fire in January and appears to be the answer to their goaltending woes.
7.Edmonton Oilers (43 points)
Stock: Neutral
The Oilers have basically gotten what they deserve from their season so far. Their goaltending situation could be the worst in the NHL, with neither Cam Talbot or Anders Nilsson really proving so far in their NHL careers that they are starting goaltender material.
The defenders are even worse. Oscar Klefbom and Andrej Sekera are the top minute getters for the Oilers. I rest my case.