Golden Knights clinch Pacific Division, face Mammoth in 1st round

Danny Webster, The Seattle Times on Apr 16, 2026

Published in Hockey

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Time to make room for another division title banner.

The Vegas Golden Knights are atop the Pacific Division for the fifth time in nine seasons, and the second straight year, thanks to a 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena.

The win cemented the Knights as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and they’ll take on the Utah Mammoth in the first round starting this weekend.

The Knights became the 10th NHL team to clinch a division title following an in-season coaching change. They closed the season with a 7-0-1 run under John Tortorella after firing Bruce Cassidy on March 29.

Mitch Marner broke a 1-1 tie 1:23 into the third with a deflection from the high slot, and Reilly Smith scored twice in the third to give the Knights (39-26-17) home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Jack Eichel had two assists to cement his second consecutive 90-point season, and defenseman Shea Theodore also scored.

Goaltender Carter Hart improved to 6-0 since returning from injury with 22 saves. He’s allowed only 10 goals since returning while solidifying himself as the Knights’ No. 1 netminder heading into the postseason.

Seattle (34-36-11) opened the scoring 2:24 into the second when center Shane Wright pounced on a rebound for a 1-0 lead.

The Kraken, who defeated the Knights 4-3 in a shootout in Seattle last Thursday, took control with their forecheck and forced Hart to keep the game close.

Seattle rookie goalie Nikke Kokko played well with 22 saves. He didn’t allow a goal until Theodore’s tying wrist shot from the right circle with 2:25 left in the second.

Marner kickstarted the three-goal third period with his deflection off a Brayden McNabb point shot. Marner ended his first season with the Knights with 24 goals and 80 points.

Smith fired a one-timer with 7:59 left to make it 3-1 and then scored on a delayed penalty with 3:24 to go.

The Knights’ five division titles are the most among all NHL teams since they entered the league in 2017-18. Colorado, Washington and Carolina each have four.

________