Anaheim Ducks hold a precarious one-point lead over Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division, with 19 games remaining. The Ducks' path appears easier on paper, facing playoff teams just five times in their final stretch, while Vegas must play top-tier opponents like the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche twice apiece. Sunday’s critical matchup between the Oilers and Knights could determine momentum, as both teams have identical 10 playoff-caliber games left.

The Ducks’ remaining schedule includes just one game against current playoff teams (Edmonton on March 28), whereas Vegas faces the Oilers, Avalanche, and Dallas Stars multiple times. This disparity gives Anaheim a statistical edge, though their playoff chances hinge on avoiding collapses against weaker Pacific foes like the St. Louis Blues and Utah Mammoth. Meanwhile, the Oilers’ tough slate includes two clashes with Colorado and a pivotal April 4 showdown against Vegas, which could decide the division title.

The Colorado Avalanche remain dominant in the West with a 38-regular-win record, but their focus shifts to securing the Central Division crown. Buffalo and Tampa Bay lead the East, though Detroit and the New York Islanders lurk as wild card threats. With 20+ games left for most teams, every overtime and shootout will matter as playoff seeding tightens.

This division race underscores the NHL’s playoff lottery chaos: Anaheim’s schedule advantage clashes with Vegas’ star power, while Edmonton’s fate depends on avoiding late-season implosions. As the regular season winds down, one thing is clear—the Pacific Division title will come down to the wire.