Thanksgiving is around the corner (at least, the American version since the Canadian version passed). That means bonding with your family (as long as you avoid discussing politics) and enjoying delicious food. That also means watching the Dallas Cowboys lose again, marking one of the most time-honored traditions in American history.
It also means evaluating where the Vegas Golden Knights are in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights might've had a rough start to the 2025-26 season. However, they're 3-0-2 in their last five games, indicating that a turnaround is happening.
That's good news for a fanbase concerned about the team's direction. Sure, there might've been injuries along the way. However, that's in the past, after the Golden Knights rediscovered what it means to have depth scoring.
So, let's have some fun with this post. Let's associate the Pacific Division teams with... Thanksgiving dishes. Ahh, it seems like I'm making you hungry with this one. This is your power rankings for the upcoming holiday, where we see where each team stands before Thanksgiving rolls around.
1.) Anaheim Ducks: Turkey legs
The Ducks lead the Pacific Division with 27 points. They've gotten extra helpings of goals from youngsters like Leo Carlsson (11 goals) and Cutter Gauthier (12 goals). However, it isn't just the kids bringing the meat.
Chris Kreider (10 goals) has also feasted, with five goals coming on the power play. Adding the veteran winger and Joel Quenneville has done wonders for the young Ducks, who've taken over the NHL.
2.) Vegas Golden Knights: Mashed potatoes with gravy
Watching Jack Eichel get three points in a 4-1 Thursday win over the Utah Mammoth was as savory as mashed potatoes with gravy. The Vegas Golden Knights superstar is on pace for a breathtaking 41 goals and 70 assists. He's breaking all sorts of records, establishing himself as a bona fide superstar.
Of course, having superstars like Mitch Marner (21 points) and Pavel Dorofeyev (11 goals and five assists) helps. However, the Golden Knights are turning things around with the big dog at the forefront. That could make them dangerous come April.
3.) Los Angeles Kings: Deviled eggs
Admit it: you know you can't get enough of those deviled eggs come Thanksgiving. They sit there calling your name, asking you to devour them in their paprika and protein goodness. That's essentially what the Kings' goaltending is: they tempt you with their devilish flavor and stop you.
The Kings have a team GAA of 2.71 (seventh in the NHL), picking up where they left off from last season. Led by Darcy Kuemper (GAA of 2.42), Los Angeles is becoming a tough team to crack.
4.) San Jose Sharks: Pumpkin pie
I'm sure you've heard of sweet Macklin Celebrini, who has 13 goals and 18 assists this season. He's on pace for an astonishing 51 goals and 70 assists, marking a breakthrough campaign for the young forward.
But on another note: are the Sharks... back? Could we finally see a Sharks-Golden Knights rivalry that actually carries weight and meaning? Only time will tell.
5.) Seattle Kraken: Rolls
Sorry, Kraken fans. There are no salmon-based Thanksgiving dishes to be had here. But have a roll since the Kraken are good at having their goaltenders stuff the net.
Much like Los Angeles, Seattle is great at keeping the puck out of the net. They have a team GAA of 2.70 (sixth in the NHL) and are tied for ninth in team save percentage (.904). That could cause problems for the other Pacific Division teams, especially if their scoring picks up (2.70 goals per game, 28th in the NHL).
6.) Edmonton Oilers: Month-old turkey
The Oilers have gone from back-to-back Western Conference champions to falling behind in the playoff race. Their goaltending has become so concerning and stale that the entire fanbase has turned on Stuart Skinner.
That comes with good reason. The netminder has a GAA of 3.00 and a save percentage of .882. Will the Oilers go after a goaltender like Juuse Saros? Or will they burn their fuel up?
7.) Vancouver Canucks: Green beans
While Quinn Hughes has been, well, Quinn Hughes (19 assists), the rest of the Canucks have been undesirable. The team can't stop shots to save their lives (team GAA of 3.68, 31st in the NHL) and are seeing key pieces like Brock Boeser (eight goals and six assists) underperform.
2025-26 could be yet another underwhelming season for the Canucks, who've invested heavily in this current core. Could it be time to send Hughes to *GASP* New Jersey?
8.) Calgary Flames: Beets
Nobody likes this stuff. Maybe they can wait for Gavin McKenna to solve everything?