Now entering the third quarter of the 2025-2026 NHL season, we have seen dynamics in the standings that make this season unique compared to past seasons. As of March 10th, the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks would be in 10th place if they were in the Eastern Conference, not only missing the playoffs, but even being behind one other non-playoff team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The only other instance in NHL history where a division leader finished below a non-playoff team in the other conference was the 2001-2002 Carolina Hurricanes, where their 91 points was fewer than the Edmonton Oilers’ 92 points. However, that was in an era when there were six divisions, each with five teams, making it more likely to see a weak division due to the fewer number of teams. In the wild card era with four divisions, and currently eight divisions per team, this level of mediocrity from an entire division is unprecedented. Is the 2025-2026 Pacific Division the worst division in NHL history, or at least in the modern era?

Ever since the NHL changed its division format in 2013 to the wild card format still in place today, the average points percentage among the current eight Pacific Division teams is 0.513, with an average winning percentage of 0.445. Both of these averages are the lowest of all 48 divisions since 2013, not including the unique divisions in the 2021 Covid season.

The above box and whisker plot showcases the minimum, maximum, quartile 1 (bottom of each box), quartile 3 (top of each box), mean (circle), and median (horizontal black line). As seen, the 2025-2026 Pacific Division so far ranks dead last in both average points percentage and average win percentage. This division also has the lowest maximum points percentage, or in other words, the lowest points percentage of any division leader, with the Anaheim Ducks’ 0.579 points percentage leading the way. However, this is not countered by a balanced division with a low minimum, such as the Central Division in 2014-2015. The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are currently in last and second-last respectively in the league standings.

To better understand the current circumstances, below is a quick summary of each Pacific Division team as of March 10, 2026.

Anaheim Ducks - The Ducks have a record of 35-25-3 for 73 points in 63 games. The Ducks were one of the best teams in the league early in the season, then went on a long skid which included a nine-game losing streak, before eventually finding their game again. The Ducks are the only team in the Pacific Division with a winning percentage above 50%, although it is interesting to note that they have a -10 goal differential.

Vegas Golden Knights - The Golden Knights have a record of 29-21-14 for 72 points in 64 games. There was a point in the season where the Golden Knights were on pace to have more extra time losses than regulation losses, and were also on pace to set a new NHL record for most extra time points. The Knights have struggled through injuries to key players, namely Mark Stone, but goaltending has been their greatest weakness, as they currently rank 30th in team save percentage.

Edmonton Oilers - The Oilers have a record of 31-25-8 for 70 points in 64 games. Similar to the Golden Knights, the Oilers’ play has also been below expectations, with goaltending being one of their primary weaknesses. However, the Oilers do have a +9 goal differential, which leads the division in tis category. The Golden Knights’ +4 is the only other team with a positive goal differential in this division.

Seattle Kraken - The Kraken have a record of 29-24-9 for 67 points in 62 games. The Kraken have been quite hot and cold throughout the season, and have the third worst expected goals for percentage according to moneypuck.com.

San Jose Sharks - The Sharks have a record of 30-25-6 for 66 points in 61 games. The Sharks are currently one point behind the Kraken for the final playoff spot, and have played far above expectations this season after finishing dead last in the league the previous two seasons. This is in large part thanks to Macklin Celebrini becoming one of the best players in the league in his sophomore season.

Los Angeles Kings - The Kings have a record of 26-23-14 for 66 points in 63 games. Similar to the Golden Knights, the Kings have racked up a lot of extra time loss points and were once also on pace to eclipse any previous record for extra time points in a season. However, the Kings’ 26 wins are the sixth-fewest in the league.

Calgary Flames - The Flames have a record of 25-31-7 for 57 points in 63 games. The Flames got off to an abysmal 2-9-2 start, but then began winning over half of their games and were particularly dominant at home. However, the Flames’ hot streak later petered out, and they now sit second-last in the standings.

Vancouver Canucks - The Canucks have a record of 19-37-8 for 46 points in 64 games. This season has been a total disaster for the Canucks, whether it be injuries to key players such as goaltender Thatcher Demko, players like Elias Pettersson not performing to expectations, or their former captain Quinn Hughes being traded, the Canucks are by far the worst team in the league and are firmly in last place, 11 points back of the Flames.

The Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are the only two teams performing above expectations, with the Seattle Kraken performing on par with what was widely expected heading into the season. Despite occupying two of the top three spots, the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are far below expectations coming into the season, while the Los Angeles Kings have also been a disappointment. While the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames weren’t necessarily expected to be playoff teams this season, being at the bottom of the standings was also not a prediction many made for these two teams.

If these eight teams collectively maintain this mediocre pace heading into the playoffs, it will create a very interesting dynamic, where the Pacific Division route to the Western Conference Finals will be a night and day difference compared to the Central Division route, which currently occupies three of the four best teams in the league standings. Additionally, the team that is currently fourth in the Central Division and occupies the first wild card spot, the Utah Mammoth, currently have the same amount of points as the Anaheim Ducks, who would be their first round opponent if the playoffs started today. Of course, once the playoffs begin, the games are mostly an entirely new dynamic. However, there is a possibility that we could see the first instance of a wild card team playing a team from their own division in the Conference Finals, as the Central Division is currently much stronger than the Pacific Division, the worst division of the modern era.

Is the 2025-2026 Pacific Division the Worst Division in NHL History?

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