The Pacific Division is the closest division in the NHL. Going into the all-star break only 1 point separated the top 5 teams, compared to the 14 points that separate the Central Division’s top 4 teams. I know that people outside of the west coast probably do not care how close things are out west, but at the same time, it makes a difference for us.
The Coyotes are playing in one of the weakest conferences on paper, which might be why things are so close right now. The division-leading Cancucks have 60 points this season. I f you drop them into the Eastern Conference they wouldn’t even be in the playoffs as of right now.