State of the Division: March 24, 2019

With two weeks to go in the regular season, the Vegas Golden Knights have closed to within five points of the San Jose Sharks for second in the Pacific Division. Vegas has six games left before the postseason and has a chance to earn home ice in the first round with a strong finish to the year.
CURRENT PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS
x-clinched playoff spot

WHO WOULD PLAY WHO?
Western Conference
Pacific 1: Calgary Flames vs. Wild Card 2: Colorado Avalanche
Central 1: Winnipeg Jets vs. Wild Card 1: Dallas Stars
Pacific 2: San Jose Sharks vs. Pacific 3: Vegas Golden Knights
Central 2: Nashville Predators vs. Central 3: St. Louis Blues
Eastern Conference
Atlantic 1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Wild Card 2: Montreal Canadiens
Metropolitan 1: Washington Capitals vs. Wild Card 1: Carolina Hurricanes
Atlantic 2: Boston Bruins vs. Atlantic 3: Toronto Maple Leafs
Metropolitan 2: New York Islanders vs. Metropolitan 3: Pittsburgh Penguins
ON THE BUBBLE
The Arizona Coyotes (79 points) and Minnesota Wild (79 points) remain one point back of Colorado (80 points) for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. Colorado and Arizona each have six games to play while the Wild have just five games left before the end of the season. Those games are must-wins for each of those clubs.
WHO'S HOT?
The Golden Knights have continued to rattle off victories as they close in on the Sharks for second place in the Pacific. Vegas is 8-1-1 in its last 10. The Flames have pushed themselves to six points ahead of San Jose as they look to clinch the division title. Colorado has propelled itself back into the playoff picture with four wins in a row.
WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR VEGAS
Just when it seemed like the Golden Knights were destined to finish third in the division, a stretch of victories has put them within striking distance of the Sharks for second. Home ice in the first round is key and Vegas will do all it can in the final two weeks of the season to ensure the playoffs begin at T-Mobile Arena.