Oilers: Three expectations of the pacific division going into next season
The Pacific Division should be back next season with the Edmonton Oilers back vying for the top spot.
Edmonton had a nice year off from their old Pacific Division foes. They were vying for the Stanley Cup while playing in the new North Division. However assuming next season is back to a more normal look, the Edmonton Oilers should be back in the Pacific.
The roster of teams Edmonton should be facing on most nights next season include the Anaheim Ducks, the Los Angeles Kings, the San Jose Sharks, the Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Seattle Kraken. Now, out of all of these teams, only one other team outside of Edmonton managed to make the postseason, so at least there is one positive there.
The North Division was supposedly one of the lighter divisions across the league, but even still Edmonton did have to play all of their games, there were no easy nights this season, and that will be the case in 2021-22.
Let’s jump into some expectations for the pacific division assuming we are back to normal format-wise in 2021-22.
1. An improved division that cannot be taken lightly.
The Pacific might not be the best division around, but there are nothing to joke about. Edmonton should be a playoff team next season, but we have seen in years past that things are wide open when it comes to landing a spot in the playoffs.
Edmonton will have to make sure that they win their divisional games next season. During a full 82 game season picking up points against teams that are vying for the same playoff spot are important. They also will have to keep a cool head when playing opponents like Calgary that sometimes play a more physical game.
Physically should be a main part for next season as Edmonton starts facing off against some teams that they have not played for a full year. Vegas is a physical team and will be the destined top team in the Pacific next season, so it is up to Edmonton to change people’s minds.
2. Out with the old and in with the new.
The Arizona Coyotes will be leaving the Pacific Division and going to the Central when the Seattle Kraken join the NHL. This new division change will give the Pacific another expansion franchise after adding the Vegas Golden Knights just a few seasons ago.
While I want to say that Seattle won’t be in a position to make the postseason, anything can happen with these expansion teams. Hopefully, Edmonton can take advantage of playing a new team next season.
This season might also see some changes on each individual team. Teams like San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles are going to be a little bit better in 2021-22. Their rebuilds might not be completed, but each season they are going to get more competitive. The Oilers need to take advantage of this opportunity they have to win now.
3. Predicting the standings.
I want to toss my hat in the ring for a season standings prediction for 2021-22. I am not going to say how many points each team gets rather just if they will be in the playoffs or not, so here are my choices:
Vegas Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames
San Jose Sharks
Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver Canucks
Seattle Kraken
Anaheim Ducks
I think the two top teams in the Pacific will run away with first and second. Edmonton and Vegas should compete with each other for the top spot in the Pacific and everything else should be up for grabs.
Calgary does take the final spot within the division and the two wild card teams should be coming out of the Central and not the Pacific. I am excited to see how much improvement teams like San Jose and Los Angeles show next season. While I want Edmonton to run away with things in the Pacific, a little more competition from other teams wouldn’t hurt their chances in the postseason.