Published on: April 16, 2026, 05:20h.

Updated on: April 16, 2026, 05:20h.

• Vegas Golden Knights secure Pacific Division title
• Golden Knights boast a record of 7-0-1 since Coach Bruce Cassidy’s dismissal on March 29
• Playoff pairings still being determined as NHL concludes regular season

Last night at T-Mobile Arena, the Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Seattle Kraken with a score of 4-1, clinching the top spot in the Pacific Division.

Division Showdown

Recently, Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid humorously labeled the race for the top spot in the division—between the Oilers, Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks—as a “pillow fight.”

However, there’s still more action to unfold, with the Oilers facing Vancouver tonight, the Kings battling the Flames in Calgary, and the Ducks visiting Nashville to challenge the Predators. The Oilers currently sit in second place with 91 points, while the Kings and Ducks are tied at 90 points.

At DraftKings, the game between the Oilers and Canucks is the most popular NHL matchup for betting today, with prop bets like McDavid Anytime Goalscorer and McDavid with 5+ Shots on Goal gaining traction.

Increased Betting Activity

The Golden Knights’ fortunes have dramatically improved. In last night’s 4-1 victory, Mitch Marner scored the crucial goal just 1:23 into the third period, with Reilly Smith netting two more. Carter Hart played superbly, making 22 saves.

Since John Tortorella took over for Bruce Cassidy as head coach on March 29, the Golden Knights have been on a streak of 7-0-1. Tortorella emphasized that allowing players to express themselves on the ice has been pivotal, and he seems to have found a reliable goalie in Hart after a challenging season for goaltending.

Johnny Avello, Director of Race & Sports Operations at DraftKings, noted a significant increase in betting interest surrounding the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup futures following the coaching change.

Since March 29, their odds to win the Cup have changed from +1500 to +900, while the Campbell Conference odds have shifted from +650 to +425.

Odds of +900 to Claim the Cup

“Since Vegas made the coaching switch and ignited this run, we’ve noticed a marked rise in betting activity on the Golden Knights,” Avello stated. “They were previously at risk of missing the playoffs, but now are at +900 to win the Stanley Cup. As the team gained momentum, so did the betting enthusiasm.”

If the Oilers secure a point tonight, they’ll claim second in the division. Were the playoffs to start tonight, the Golden Knights would host the Utah Mammoth. However, their matchup could switch to the Oilers, Ducks, or Kings depending on tonight’s outcomes.

“The Vegas Golden Knights have been a remarkable story in the NHL, clinching the Pacific Division title for the third time in four years,” noted Ethan Useloff, a Sports Trader for Fanatics Sportsbook. “Each of these seasons has commenced under the guidance of Bruce Cassidy, until he was dismissed on March 29 after a rough patch. The Knights had been facing uncertain odds of +3000 to claim the division.”

Oilers Aiming for Second Place

“John Tortorella stepped in,” he added. “Since his arrival, Tortorella has significantly improved the team’s performance, achieving 7-0-1 and capturing 15 out of a possible 16 points. They have become one of the hottest teams for betting lately, with their odds shortening to -450 to win the division before last night’s game against Seattle. Vegas is optimistic that this winning streak can lead them to secure their second championship within four seasons, with odds now set at +500 to win the Western Conference and +1200 to lift the Cup.”