Posted on: April 16, 2026, 05:20h.
Last updated on: April 16, 2026, 05:20h.
- Vegas Golden Knights wrap up first place in the Pacific Division
- Golden Knights 7-0-1 since firing coach Bruce Cassidy March 29
- Playoff matchups still getting sorted out, as NHL heads into the last night of the regular season schedule
The Vegas Golden Knights took care of business last night at T-Mobile Arena, beating the lowly Seattle Kraken 4-1, wrapping up first place in the Pacific Division.
Pillow Fight
A few weeks ago, Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid famously referred to the chase for first place in the division, between the Oilers, Golden Knights, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, as a “pillow fight”.
There’s still some pillow swinging to go, with the Oilers hosting Vancouver tonight, the Kings in Calgary to play the Flames, and the Ducks in Nashville to take on the Predators. The Oilers sit in second place with 91 points, with the Kings and Ducks tied with 90 points.
At DraftKings Oilers-Canucks is the top bet NHL game by handle and bets for tonight, with McDavid Anytime Goalscorer and McDavid 5+ Shots on Goal among the most popular prop bets.
Betting Interest Picks Up
But the Golden Knights situation has changed dramatically. Last night, in what was a 4-1 win, Mitch Marner tipped in the go-ahead goal just 1:23 into the third period, with Reilly Smith adding two more. Carter Hart stopped 22 shots in goal.
Since John Tortorella took over from Bruce Cassidy as head coach March 29, the Golden Knights have gone 7-0-1. Tortorella said the key has been letting the players play, and he has clearly found a goalie he likes in Hart, after a season of subpar goaltending.
DraftKings Director of Race & Sports Operations Johnny Avello said there’s been a noticeable shift in Golden Knights’ Stanley futures since the Tortorella move.
Since March 29, the Golden Knights’ Cup winner futures went from +1500 to +900, and Campbell Conference futures went from +650 to +425.
+900 to Win the Cup
Since Vegas made the coaching change and sparked this run, we’ve seen a clear uptick in action on the Golden Knights,” he said. “They were once in danger of missing the postseason, but now sit at +900 to win the Stanley Cup. As the team heated up, so did the betting interest.”
A point earned by the Oilers tonight will give them second place in the division. If the first round of the playoffs started tonight, the Golden Knights would host the Utah Mammoth. But the Golden Knights could find themselves against the Oilers, Ducks or Kings, depending on what happens tonight.
The Vegas Golden Knights have been an awesome story in the NHL, winning the Pacific Division for the third time in four seasons,” said Ethan Useloff, Sports Trader for Fanatics Sportsbook. “Each of these years began with Bruce Cassidy at the helm, but he was let go on March 29th following a skid. The Knights were looking at an unlikely +3000 price to win the division.
Oilers Looking to Take Second Place
“In stepped John Tortorella,” he said. “Since taking over, Tortorella has elevated the team’s play to the tune of 7-0-1, securing 15 of a possible 16 points in these eight contests. They have become one of the most popular teams to bet on with this recent surge, and the squad shortened all the way to -450 to win the division before facing off with Seattle Wednesday evening. Vegas hopes this hot stretch can bring home their second championship in four seasons, with odds of +500 to win the Western Conference and +1200 to hoist the Cup.”
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