NHL Pacific Division Preview 2025–26: Can Edmonton Finally End Their Wait?

Another year of Pacific Division hockey is upon us, and what a year it promises to be. The back-to-back Stanley Cup runners-up, Edmonton Oilers, will seek to finally get over the hump, the Vegas Golden Knights have added superstar firepower, and the Los Angeles Kings aim to stake their claim on the division.

Elsewhere, teams are rebuilding or pushing to return to the playoffs. It should be another competitive season across the Pacific, with quality rosters and exciting young talent looking to take the next step.

Keep an eye on our Pacific Division NHL broadcast listings throughout the season for schedules and streaming info.

Team-by-Team Update

Vegas Golden Knights

• Arena: T-Mobile Arena
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 50-22-10
  The Vegas Golden Knights adds Mitch Marner to an already elite lineup, pairing him with Jack Eichel. This combination could make the Golden Knights not only Pacific favorites but also strong Stanley Cup contenders.

Los Angeles Kings

• Arena: Crypto.com Arena
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 48-25-9
  After a strong regular season but first-round playoff heartbreak, the LA Kings look for redemption. Anze Kopitar leads the way, with Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala driving offense, and Quinton Byfield expected to take the next step.

Edmonton Oilers

• Arena: Rogers Place
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 48-29-5
  With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl healthy, the Edmonton Oilers can be the league’s best. Another deep playoff run is expected, but the pressure to finally win the Stanley Cup continues to build.

Calgary Flames

• Arena: Scotiabank Saddledome
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 41-27-14
  The Calgary Flames aim for a playoff return, but questions linger over scoring depth. Rookie Zayne Parekh is expected to contribute immediately and inject energy into an aging core.

Vancouver Canucks

• Arena: Rogers Arena
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 38-30-14
  After a rough 2024 season, the Vancouver Canucks looks to rebound. Elias Pettersson must rediscover his form, while Quinn Hughes anchors the blue line. If healthy, the Canucks could return to contention.

Anaheim Ducks

• Arena: Honda Center
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 35-37-10
  The Anaheim Ducks continues its rebuild, banking on Leo Carlsson’s development and Troy Terry’s production. The young roster has talent, but consistency is still a question.

Seattle Kraken

• Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 35-41-6
  The Seattle Kraken continue to build for the future. Jared McCann leads the offense, and Shane Wright faces pressure to step up. 2025 is another year of growth rather than contention.

San Jose Sharks

• Arena: SAP Center
• 2024/25 Record (W-L-OT): 20-50-10
  Macklin Celebrini looks ready for a breakout after an impressive rookie season, but depth remains thin. San Jose Sharks' first line is strong, though the rest of the roster may struggle again.

What Happened in 2024

• Playoff race: Kings, Golden Knights, and Oilers separated themselves early.
• Rebuilders: Kraken and Sharks focused on youth development.
• Middle ground: Flames pushed late but fell short; Canucks lacked consistency.
• Division leader: Vegas controlled the Pacific throughout the season.
• Oilers’ struggle: Injuries to McDavid slowed Edmonton’s regular season, but they turned it on in the playoffs.

Playoff recap:

• Kings vs Oilers produced a thrilling 7-game series.
• Golden Knights looked dangerous but fell to Edmonton in Round 2.
• The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year but fell to Florida in six games.

The Road Ahead: Favorites, Dark Horses & Predictions

Teams to Beat

• Vegas Golden Knights: With Marner joining Jack Eichel, Vegas looks like the Pacific favorite.
• Edmonton Oilers: Always a threat with McDavid and Draisaitl, though regular-season consistency is not their strength.

Teams That Could Shock

• Vancouver Canucks: If Elias Pettersson regains confidence and Quinn Hughes stays healthy, Vancouver could reemerge as a playoff team. Depth is the concern, but their top-end talent is enough to compete.

Offseason Changes

• Golden Knights: Added Mitch Marner, a 100+ point scorer, making them even more dangerous.
• Kings: Added veterans Corey Perry, Cody Ceci, Brian Dumoulin; lost Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence.
• Oilers: Extended Evan Bouchard; lost Corey Perry and Jeff Skinner; limited by cap space. McDavid’s looming contract adds future uncertainty.
• Flames: Focused on youth, integrating Zayne Parekh and preparing for Dustin Wolf’s next contract. Quiet otherwise.
• Canucks: Retained Brock Boeser; signed veteran Evander Kane; quieter offseason overall.
• Ducks: Traded Trevor Zegras; added Mikael Granlund, Chris Kreider, Ville Husso; drafted Roger McQueen. Mason McTavish extension remains unresolved.
• Kraken: Added Mason Marchment, Ryan Lindgren, Matt Murray; hired coach Lane Lambert; may debut 2024 draft pick Berkly Catton.
• Sharks: Added Jeff Skinner, Ryan Reaves, Adam Gaudette, Dmitry Orlov, and John Klingberg. Rookie Michael Misa could debut during 2025.

How to Watch Pacific Division NHL Games in 2025–26

Games will be broadcast on major networks and streaming services:

• Broadcast: ESPN, TNT, ABC
• Streaming: ESPN+, Hulu, Max
• Out-of-market coverage: NHL Center Ice (available via most cable providers)

👉 For full schedules, streaming options, and puck drop times, visit our NHL TV & Streaming Guide for Pacific Division matchups.

Written by: Venuse, Inc. (Sports Content Creator)

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