Knights could clinch Pacific
The Vegas Golden Knights sit a win away from clinching the Pacific Division, which would lock them into a first‑round series with the Utah Mammoth, according to NHL.com’s playoff buzz. The site also flags team health swings to watch across the league — for example, Colorado has Cale Makar back while Nazem Kadri is listed as questionable — and it notes the Kings have entered the power rankings after clinching a berth. (nhl.com)
Vegas closed the regular season by beating Seattle 4-1 on April 15, clinching the Pacific Division and a first-round series against Utah. (nhl.com) The Golden Knights finished 39-26-17 for 95 points, two ahead of Edmonton entering the final night in the Pacific race. NHL.com had said Vegas only needed one point against the Kraken to lock up the division. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) That result fixed one of the last unsettled Western Conference matchups: Pacific Division winner Vegas against the Utah Mammoth, the first wild card. Utah’s team site says Game 1 of the series is set for Sunday. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) Utah is still new enough that the matchup needs a little translation. The 2025-26 season is the franchise’s second in Utah and its first playing as the Utah Mammoth. (nhl.com) Vegas has been here before. The April 15 win gave the Golden Knights their fifth Pacific Division title in nine seasons, a marker of how often the franchise has started the playoffs with home ice. (nbcsports.com) The bracket around them was still moving late in the week. NHL.com reported on April 15 that all 16 playoff spots were filled, the Eastern Conference matchups were set, and three of the four Western Conference series were still being sorted out. (nhl.com) Health was part of that last-week scramble too. NHL.com’s April 15 power rankings said Colorado had Cale Makar back, while Nazem Kadri was listed as questionable entering the playoffs. (nhl.com) Los Angeles also forced its way into the conversation. The Kings clinched a playoff berth with a 5-3 win over Seattle on April 13, and NHL.com moved them into its Super 16 rankings a day later. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) For Vegas, the immediate change is simple: the division race is over, the opponent is set, and the playoffs open at home against Utah on Sunday. (nhl.com) (nhl.com)
