(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

This morning the Golden Knights woke up only to find themselves in 5th place in the Pacific Division. Sure, there’s five months left in the regular season, but for dramatics’ sake, if the playoffs were to begin today, the Golden Knights would be O-U-T out.

With Seattle’s loss in shootout, the Golden Knights currently sit on the outside of the playoff picture (by points).

Since Bruce Cassidy took over, VGK have played exactly ONE game while out of the playoff picture. That was on October 22nd, 2024 vs LAK, they won 6-1.

Literally…

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 12, 2025

In years past, the Golden Knights routinely feasted on nonthreatening Pacific Division opponents. Since 2021-22, Vegas has an astonishing .800 points percentage against Anaheim, Calgary, San Jose, and Seattle. The Golden Knights gleefully average 22 standings points each season by beating up on those four franchises.  Surprisingly, that group of pushovers is now down to just the Flames (which VGK have already taken four points off of).

VGK vs ANA, CGY, SJ, SEA Since 2021-22

2021-22: 23 Points (11-3-1)
2022-23: 20 Points (9-3-2)
2023-24: 19 Points (9-6-1)
2024-25: 26 Points (12-0-2)

So far, the Golden Knights have played six games against divisional foes. They are 3-0-3 in those games. Like clockwork, Vegas is back to pick-pocketing points against the four dwellers of the past. Altogether, the Golden Knights have picked up points in each divisional game this season. However, Pacific matchups haven’t been as easy as years past. Ahem, well, maybe one game.

Last week, the 1st place Ducks defeated the Golden Knights for the first time since 2024. Anaheim is in the middle of an 8-2-0 stretch, are in first place by three points and have a +14 goal differential, the only other team in the division besides Vegas in the green. At the moment, MoneyPuck gives the Ducks a 40% chance of winning the Pacific Division and the Golden Knights a 30% chance.

In a worst-case scenario, Vegas splits the remaining ten contests with Anaheim, Calgary, San Jose, and Seattle, the Golden Knights would end the season with 13 fewer points than seasons past. It would force Vegas to search for another ten points against other opponents. Possibly, hard, strenuous points against challenging teams down the stretch.

We all watched Vegas storm through the Stanley Cup Finals as a one seed. On the flip side, fans witnessed a first-round elimination as an eighth seed. Dipping below second place in the division will force the Golden Knights to start the first two series on the road.

Sure, this could be the new reality in the Pacific Division, but it’s early November. Another note, the Edmonton Oilers should wake up out of their annual slumber soon.