Created in 1993 and historically known in some form as the Smythe Division, the Pacific Division is one of the 2 Western Conference divisions along with the Central Division. Although it is the only division without an “Original 6” team, it is home to some feisty matchups and to the newest team in the NHL, the Seattle Kraken! The top 3 teams in the division will qualify for the playoffs and will be joined by the 2 next highest-scoring teams across the entire Western Conference.
The current 8 franchises in the Pacific Division (in alphabetical order) and their home rinks are:
- Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA)
- Calgary Flames (Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
- Edmonton Oilers (Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
- Los Angeles Kings(Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA)
- San Jose Sharks (SAP Center, San Jose, California, USA)
- Seattle Kraken (Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, USA)
- Vancouver Canucks (Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
- Vegas Golden Knights(T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)
The Vegas Golden Knights and the LA Kings are having a strong season, but Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken are biting at their heels. Meanwhile, in contrast with their Californian rivals the Kings, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks are struggling at the bottom of the table.
Rivalries
As the Western Conference is newer than its Eastern counterpart, there are fewer big rivalries, however, the Metropolitan Division is still full of fiery feuds! The division is home to several Canadian teams with the Flames-Oilers Battle of Alberta standing out, as well as the 3 Californian teams with the Ducks, the Kings, and the Sharks. Due to their geographical proximity, the Canucks-Kraken rivalry may well develop in the coming years. Some of the big games to look forward to in the 2022-23 season are:
- San Jose Sharks v Vegas Golden Knights · 30 Mar 2023
- Vancouver Canucks v Calgary Flames · 31 Mar 2023
- Vancouver Canucks v Seattle Kraken · 4 Apr 2023
- Vancouver Canucks v Calgary Flames · 8 Apr 2023
- Anaheim Ducks v Los Angeles Kings · 13 Apr 2023
2022-23 Schedule
The first Pacific Division games in the 2022-23 NHL Regular Season were in early October 2022. Teams from each conference play 28 games in their own division (4 against each of their 7 Central Division opponents) and 24 games against the 8 opponents in the other division (Pacific) in their conference (3 games against every team) after which they may progress to the NHL Playoffs.
You can find the full 2022-23 NHL schedule here.
2022-23 Playoffs and Finals
The 2023 playoffs will begin after the regular season has finished in mid-April. Of the 32 regular season teams, 16 qualify with 8 from each conference (the top 3 teams from each division plus 2 conference teams with the next highest points). There are 4 rounds of best-of-7 series: first round with 16 teams in 8 x best-of-7 series; second round with 8 teams in 4 x best-of-7 series; Conference Finals with 4 teams in 2 x best-of-7 series; and the Stanley Cup Finals with 2 teams in 1 x best-of-7 series to determine who lifts the Stanley Cup.
2022-23 Ticket & Prices
Each arena has its own seating chart and each will vary, however, NHL venues typically have: a lower level close to the ice with seats in the front rows offering premium views from beside the plexiglass; a club or mezzanine level with elevated views of the game; suite levels offering an exclusive experience with additional perks such as catering, a wait service, and a private entrance; and an upper level furthest from the ice, but offering views across the entire arena and the most affordable tickets.
Some of the most affordable tickets in the Pacific Division are USD $10 (CAD $13) for basic tickets to $28,926 (CAD $39,433) for the most premium tickets.
How to Get Cheap Tickets
Ticket prices will vary depending on the teams playing, the arena, the day of the week (weekends are typically more expensive), and the stage of the league. Prices for the same game and ticket type will fluctuate over time and among ticket sellers. There may be last-minute deals for less popular games; however, waiting can also result in ticket shortages or higher prices if there is high demand. Koobit helps you find the right tickets at the best price by comparing prices from primary and secondary sellers.
Where to Buy Tickets
At most arenas, you can purchase tickets at the on-site box office, however, opening hours and ticket availability will vary. Generally, buying your ticket online is more convenient because you can easily compare options and prices and guarantee a seat before arriving at the arena.
How to Get to a Game
Most NHL arenas are located in a city's downtown district and are surrounded by garages and lots offering nearby car parking spaces that can be pre-booked. Arenas are generally easily accessible by public transportation as well because of their central locations. Visit an arena’s travel & parking page for more information. For event-specific information, click through to an event and view the Travel & Parking section.
2022-23 Merchandise & Apparel
If you want to look the part when attending a game in the Pacific Division, Fanatics sells official NHL merchandise, offering everything from team sweaters to branded caps.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the National Hockey League (NHL) page.