Perfect Ducks and frustrated Canucks: Pacific Division roundup

The Anaheim Ducks are driving the early storyline in the Pacific Division with a perfect record, while the Vancouver Canucks are already raising their internal bar and the Calgary Flames are sinking to the bottom of the standings.

Ducks stay perfect as Marchand returns for Panthers

In Anaheim, the Ducks made it two wins in two games with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers. Cutter Gauthier continued his strong start, scoring twice on the power play before Mikael Granlund ended it in overtime. The result moves Anaheim to 4 points and second place in the Pacific at 2-0-0, backing up a recent analysis that framed the Ducks as a team on the rise and a real threat to the established California order.

The game also marked Brad Marchand’s first appearance of the season, as the veteran winger returned to the lineup for Florida on Sunday following the recent loss of Aleksander Barkov. His presence adds punch to the Panthers’ forward group, but it wasn’t enough to neutralize Anaheim’s special‑teams edge.

Canucks’ standards climb as Golden Knights keep rolling

In Vancouver, expectations are clearly higher. The Canucks sit at 2-2 after a demanding opening week against contenders, and Sunday’s mood after a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights made it clear that a .500 record no longer feels like progress. Mitch Marner scored his first goal of the season in the win, and Vegas extended its run of success against Vancouver to eight straight victories. The Golden Knights now have 4 points in 3 games (2-1-0), part of a crowded middle pack in the Pacific.

For Vancouver, there are still positives. Elias Pettersson’s strong early form has boosted his trade value and reopened the debate about possible long‑term paths for the club. And on Saturday in Calgary, recently claimed goaltender Leevi Merilainen made 23 saves in a 4-1 comeback win over the Flames in his first start as a Canuck.

Flames slide, Kraken surge, Oilers and Sharks set early pace

The picture is far bleaker in Calgary. The Flames remain without a point after three games, capped by a 6-1 loss in Seattle on Sunday. The Kraken blew the game open early in their home opener, striking three times in the first eight minutes and cruising from there. Seattle now has 4 points in 3 games (2-1-0), matching Vegas and Vancouver in what is already a tightly packed Pacific Division race.

At the top, the Edmonton Oilers lead the division with 5 points from 3 games (2-0-1), even as familiar concerns in goal resurfaced in their season‑opening loss to Vancouver, as highlighted in a recent analysis. The San Jose Sharks are right behind with a perfect 2-0-0 start and 4 points, while the Los Angeles Kings’ long‑held California supremacy is under scrutiny as both the Sharks and Ducks gain ground.

In the background, restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson’s reported desire to leave Detroit has sparked speculation that the Sharks could be among the suitors, a potential move that would add another wrinkle to the balance of power in the Western Conference if it ever comes to pass.