Vegas Golden Knights clinch Pacific Division title

The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be the model of consistency since joining the league eight seasons, as they’ve clinched another Pacific Division title.

The Golden Knights clinched the top spot in the division after a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Clinching the spot was nearly at risk when they blew a 3-1 lead in the first five minutes of the third period, but a goal from Noah Hanifin with less than two minutes left in the game secured the win for Vegas.

Entering the night, Vegas had four scenarios that could have clinched them the top spot in the division: a win over the Predators, a Los Angeles Kings loss to the Colorado Avalanche, a Vegas point and the Kings not winning in regulation, or a Vegas point and the Kings getting one or fewer points. The Golden Knights securing the division also locks in another playoff matchup, with the Kings set to play the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for the fourth straight season.

Saturday’s results gave the Golden Knights a six-point advantage over the Kings. While Los Angeles still has three games remaining on their schedule and could tie Vegas on points, the Golden Knights have four more regulation wins than the Kings to have the advantage with the next tiebreak.

The Golden Knights clinch their fifth division title in eight seasons as a franchise, also having done so in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023. Up to this point, Vegas has managed to make it to at least the Conference Finals every year they’ve won their division.

With the Golden Knights securing the Pacific Division and the Jets clinching the Western Conference, this now guarantees that the Golden Knights will play the first of the two wild card teams. Right now, any of the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames are possible first round opponents for the Golden Knights.