They say winning the division is of the utmost importance in sports. You automatically get home field advantage in the playoffs (unless you're in the NBA where it doesn't matter) and can create a surprising run to the championship round.
That's especially true if you're Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers are breathing down your neck for the Pacific Division. You're freaking out about what will happen if you slip up down the stretch.
"Will we lose our home-ice advantage until the Western Conference Final?"
"What if we have to face Connor McHolywater and the Oilers without that home-ice advantage?"
It's something to think about for the upcoming NHL playoffs, where teams are vying for the ultimate prize. Sure, the postseason is a crapshoot where it doesn't matter as much. But don't tell that to the 2023 Golden Knights, who walked in with home-ice advantage for the Stanley Cup Final.
With that, let's assume the season ended today. No more regular season games and the non-contenders are eliminated (although the San Jose Sharks were good workers and eliminated themselves early). The matchups are set and ready to go and fans are excited to see who they'll face.
Who will play the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round? Would it be the vaunted Oilers? Would it be those pesky Kings that went 3-1-0 against Vegas in the regular season? Prepare yourselves because the answer will shock you (or won't).
The Vegas Golden Knights would face the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL playoffs
By virtue of the "seventh" seed, the Golden Knights would face Marc-Andre Fleury and the Minnesota Wild in the first round. It would be a fitting reunion since this is Fleury's declared last season in the NHL. How amazing would it be to get a final standing ovation at T-Mobile Arena once it's all said and done?
The Wild have been the unfortunate victims of two Central Division rivals upping their game at the trade deadline. The Dallas Stars added the big fish in Mikko Rantanen while the Colorado Avalanche added Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle. The two franchises are on a collision course to face each other in the first round, making for must-see TV.
But that doesn't mean Vegas-Minnesota isn't worthy of eyeballs. The Fleury storyline is worthy of attention alone. Filip Gustavsson (2.57 GAA, .915 save percentage) has also been solid this season. While the absence of one Kirill Kaprizov has hurt the team, they're still chugging along in the playoff race.
Facing the Wild establishes the importance of winning the Pacific Division
The Golden Knights had a forgettable four-game road trip this past week, going 1-1-2. One can say they got points in three of four games. However, Tomas Hertl not closing the deal in Buffalo was one of many mistakes made during the trip.
Now, Vegas is in a position where they must win the division or face a challenging first-round opponent. That could mean they face the Los Angeles Kings, where they don't match up well. They could also face Connor McFreakoutGuy and Leon Draisaitl in the first round. Either way, these matchups will be more challenging than facing the Wild.
Therefore, it's on Jack Eichel and company to make the most of the remaining regular season schedule. Bury those empty-net goals instead of trying to make a statement. Get off to fast starts so you're not digging yourself out of a hole. These will be imperative to winning the division and being on the fast track to a potential trip to the Western Conference Final.