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Pacific Division Round-Up: The rosters are set

The trade dust has settled and now the Pacific Division teams can get back to the business of playing for the playoffs, or playing for the draft lottery. The trade deadline told us who the buyers and sellers in the Pacific are.

The Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks all sold off some assets to get ready for next season. While everyone else tried to stock up for what’s sure to be a battle for the division’s playoff spots.

The Vegas Golden Knights are still on top, but they’re starting to look vulnerable. The Los Angeles Kings just swept the home and home series with the Knights. Vegas has lost three of its last five games. Could the stretch run be too much of a grind for the league’s newcomers?

Anaheim Ducks (31-21-12)

Textbook Anaheim, the team added a little age and grit to its lineup ahead of the trade deadline. The team inked Chris Kelly on Saturday to a one-year deal. Kelly was playing for team Canada at the Olympics. The 37-year-old played for the Ottawa Senators last season, but was not previously signed with a team this season. On deadline day, Anaheim traded Chris Wagner to the New York Islanders for veteran Jason Chimera.

Anaheim is in a precarious position right now with no room for error. The team gained one point on Sunday, when they lost to Edmonton 6-5 in a shootout. But the Ducks failed to beat the basement dwelling Coyotes on Saturday, losing 2-0. Claiming one of a possible four points in a week isn’t good for the Ducks.

What is good is the possible return of number one goaltender John Gibson. He is expected to be ready to play on Friday when the Ducks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Game time is 7:00 PT. Gibson has missed three games so far with a lower-body injury.

Arizona Coyotes (18-34-10)

Arizona didn’t buy, but it didn’t sell at the trade deadline, either. Instead, the team is just going about its business, which will likely earn it a top spot in the draft lottery. As it stands now, the Coyotes are last in the league standings, just a few points behind the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators.

Arizona’s play continues to be spotty. The Coyotes lost to the Canucks 3-1 on Sunday, but shutout the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Sunday. Antti Raanta had 26 saves in the win. The Coyotes also lost to the Calgary Flames 5-2 on Thursday.

The Coyotes host the Minnesota Wild tonight. Game time is 6:00 PT.

Calgary Flames (32-24-9)

The Flames added some bottom-six depth at the trade deadline, acquiring Nick Shore for a seventh-round pick in 2019. Calgary has picked up four of a possible eight points this week and they’re still in the fight for a wild card spot.

Calgary lost to the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Wednesday, allowing the Avs to score five unanswered goals. The Flames have lost two in a row now. They were shutout the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Tuesday. The Flames beat Colorado 5-1 on Saturday and the Coyotes 5-2 on Thursday.

The Flames host the New York Rangers on Friday at 6:00 PT.

Edmonton Oilers (27-32-4)

The Oilers were sellers at the deadline. Edmonton traded Patrick Maroon to the New Jersey Devils for prospect JD Dudek and a third-round pick. They sent Marc Letestu to the Nashville Predators for Pontus Aberg. And they shipped Brandon Davidson to the New York Islanders for a third-round pick.

With the loss of some key roster players, Edmonton was unable to beat the Sharks on Tuesday. They lost 5-2.

Before the trade deadline, Edmonton was on a roll, winning three straight. The Oilers beat Anaheim 6-5 in a shootout on Sunday, beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Saturday, and beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime on Thursday.

Forward Zach Kassian and defenseman Kris Russell are both day-to-day, but could play tonight when the Oilers host the Nashville Predators. Game time is 6:00 PT.

Los Angeles Kings (35-24-5)

The Kings made some moves at the trade deadline, but it may not be good enough to help them come out on top in the Western Conference. LA brought in defenseman Dion Phaneuf, forwards Nate Thompson and Tobias Reider, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood, and shipped out forwards Marion Gaborik and Nick Shore, and goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

So far, the trades haven’t made a difference in the standings for the Kings. They picked up four of a possible eight points this week, losing 2-0 to Dallas on Thursday and 4-3 to the Oilers on Saturday. LA did beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime on Monday and then beat the Knights again 4-1 on Tuesday. Goalie Jack Campbell made 40 saves in Tuesday’s game. It was his first NHL win.

Forward Trevor Lewis is day-to-day.

The Kings host the Blue Jackets tonight at 7:30 PT.

Vancouver Canucks (24-32-7 before tonight)

The Canucks traded away Thomas Vanek and received Jussi Jokinen and Tyler Motte in return. Vancouver is obviously out of the playoffs, so the trade really does nothing for them this season.

The Canucks pushed the Rangers to overtime on Wednesday, thanks to a last minute goal by Brock Boeser who now has 29 on the season. But Vancouver wasn’t able to close the game out, ultimately losing 6-5.

Vancouver lost to Colorado 3-1 on Monday, beat the the Coyotes 3-1 on Sunday and lost to the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 on Friday.

Forwards Markus Granlund and Brendan Gauce are both on injured reserve. So is defenseman Chris Tanev. Forward Loui Eriksson is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

The Canucks return to the ice on Friday at 7:00 PT, when they host the Preds.

Vegas Golden Knights (41-17-5)

The Golden Knights are still one of the top teams in the league, but they’re losing a little more than they’re winning lately. Vegas has lost two in a row, thanks to a home and home series with the Kings. LA won 4-1 on Tuesday and 3-2 in overtime on Monday. The only notch in the win column for the Knights this week was Friday, when they won 6-3 over the Canucks.

Vegas did make some moves at the deadline, adding depth-forward Tomas Tatar for a series of picks. The Golden Knights also picked up Ryan Reaves and shipped Tobias Lindberg to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and swapped a AHL players with the Canucks.

Forward James Neal missed Tuesday’s game with a hand injury, but did practice with the team on Wednesday. Oscar Lindberg is also day-to-day with an unknown injury.

The Golden Knights play Friday at 7:00 PT against the Ottawa Senators.

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