by Scott Rickenbach
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2022NHL Pacific Division at the Tri-Point
Teams are nearing the ⅓ point of the season as they are right around the 27 game mark of the 82 game season. Here are some things to watch from this division in the coming months and the teams with which I feel we will have some value:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: With the former Boston Bruins head coach running the show the Golden Knights are more of a defensive minded team. The results have translated to solid success on the ice with a lower goals against total than I expected. I must admit I did not expect the goaltending of Vegas to hold up but after some early happiness it really does appear that it is settling nicely for the Golden Knights. The further we get into the season the more and more important this will be. Even though Vegas is already in the top spot in the division I do feel we will get value spots with them. Especially this is true on the road where they are 8-1-1 so far this season. Home ice value always baked into the lines but often is not justified.
LOS ANGELES KINGS: Most of the teams in this division are where they should be in my opinion. The Kings are an exception however. Los Angeles has won about half of its games despite struggling to stop the opposition from scoring goals at times and having a negative goal differential. You just can't keep giving up so many goals and relying on your offense to bail you out unless you are the Oilers for example with all their firepower. I just do not think the Kings can keep this up. To keep winning a fair amount of games on the strength of offensive production. That said we have good value here in looking for good spots to fade a team that could be a little overvalued right now.
ANAHEIM DUCKS: Count me in the minority I know but I still think there is some hope for this Ducks team this season. Anaheim is 4-6 at home but has bee horrible on the road where 16 of their 26 games have been played this season. I am aware that the Ducks have the worst goal differential in the league right now. However, if they get decent goalie work from Gibson going forward - he has shown glimpses of returning to form at times - this team has enough talent on offense to make a bit of a run. The key here is the value because not many will be looking at them. Especially on home ice In the case of Anaheim I do feel we are going to get some solid opportunity with the Ducks.
Teams are nearing the ⅓ point of the season as they are right around the 27 game mark of the 82 game season. Here are some things to watch from this division in the coming months and the teams with which I feel we will have some value:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: With the former Boston Bruins head coach running the show the Golden Knights are more of a defensive minded team. The results have translated to solid success on the ice with a lower goals against total than I expected. I must admit I did not expect the goaltending of Vegas to hold up but after some early happiness it really does appear that it is settling nicely for the Golden Knights. The further we get into the season the more and more important this will be. Even though Vegas is already in the top spot in the division I do feel we will get value spots with them. Especially this is true on the road where they are 8-1-1 so far this season. Home ice value always baked into the lines but often is not justified.
LOS ANGELES KINGS: Most of the teams in this division are where they should be in my opinion. The Kings are an exception however. Los Angeles has won about half of its games despite struggling to stop the opposition from scoring goals at times and having a negative goal differential. You just can't keep giving up so many goals and relying on your offense to bail you out unless you are the Oilers for example with all their firepower. I just do not think the Kings can keep this up. To keep winning a fair amount of games on the strength of offensive production. That said we have good value here in looking for good spots to fade a team that could be a little overvalued right now.
ANAHEIM DUCKS: Count me in the minority I know but I still think there is some hope for this Ducks team this season. Anaheim is 4-6 at home but has bee horrible on the road where 16 of their 26 games have been played this season. I am aware that the Ducks have the worst goal differential in the league right now. However, if they get decent goalie work from Gibson going forward - he has shown glimpses of returning to form at times - this team has enough talent on offense to make a bit of a run. The key here is the value because not many will be looking at them. Especially on home ice In the case of Anaheim I do feel we are going to get some solid opportunity with the Ducks.
