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It's a tight race in the Pacific as just four points separate first from fourth, and four Pacific teams find themselves in the coveted top eight in the Western Conference.

With both Los Angeles and Phoenix in 'transitional' years, I don't think anyone predicted this division to come out of the gates as strong as they have. It's a testament to how good defense and great goaltending can really carry you along or in the case of Los Angeles, how a crazy hot goal scorer can propel you forward.

Four straight losses have dropped Anaheim to the bottom of the Pacific and just one point out of the basement in the West. With a goal differential of -12, the Ducks have floundered early in the season as their revamped and inexperienced blue line have caused trouble for them early in the season.

Of course, the Ducks are in just about the same boat as the Stars last year (bottom of the standings), and there is still a long ways to go. Still, I always like seeing them struggle.

Los Angeles Kings; 1st in Pacific Division, 2nd in the West - Battle of California

The Kings are on an amazing four game winning streak, with Anze Kopitar playing out of his mind at the moment. The NHL's leading goalscorer has Kings fans and fantasy hockey owners giddy with excitement. RudyKelly is ecstatic as well:

Seriously, how well is Anze Kopitar playing right now?  Against Dallas Anze had a hat trick and then followed it up with a Joe Thornton hat trick (3 assists), while also drawing 2 penalties.  He'll probably be named the #1 star of the week  with 7 points in 3 games (4 goals, 3 assists).  He's back to where he was his first season, where he suddenly created opportunities for himself that put defensemen in impossible situations.  He turns them Kopitarded, you might say.  (Wait, I say that.)  I'm positive he'll slow down at some point, but how much?  I was hoping for 80 points out of Kopitar; now, I'm thinking 90 may not be out of the question.

Leading Scorer:

San Jose Sharks; 2nd in Pacific Division, 5th in West - Fear The Fin

Per Mr. Plank, talking about the defensemen on the Sharks:

During the course of October, many questions have been raised about the performance of the team as a whole, but none more prevalent than the strength of the blueline. Without the luxury of available cap room, it's doubtful Doug Wilson pursues an upgrade via trade lest he sacrifice scoring depth amongst the forwards or deplete the strength of the organization's prospect pool. It is likely we will live and die with these band of brothers until the 2009-2010 season rings it's final bell.

Leading scorer:

Phoenix Coyotes; 4th in Pacific Division, 8th in West - Five For Howling

A two game losing streak has set the team back a bit, but they're still playing strong and getting superb goaltending. And they've been sold to the NHL.

There finally appears to be a light at the end of this seemingly never ending dark tunnel that is the Coyotes bankruptcy. Today in court the multiple sides seem to have come to some sort of arrangement to see that everyone that's owed get at least something. The deal itself is reportedly worth 128 million in all. However, there are reports of the NHL buying off Moyes' claims for 30 million dollars. That's better than what he would have been in line for in that he would have had to split what was left of about 11 million dollars between himself and the rest of the unsecured creditors. That means the NHL is ready, Moyes is lined up, Creditors are good, SOF signed off forever ago, but nobody know what's up with Gretzky.

Leading scorer:

Anaheim Ducks; 5th in Pacific Division, 13th in the West - Anaheim Calling

I'll let Arthur sum up the Ducks game from last night, very simply put:

The Ducks gave the Toronto Maple Leafs their first win of the season at the Honda Center tonight.  The worst Maple Leafs team ever (by starting record) scored five power play goals, the most scored on the Ducks ever.  A question for this recap thread?  Will Carlyle pay for this lack of effort to start the season?  Not should he, but WILL he be fired?

Yup, the Toronto Maple Leafs scored FIVE power play goals last night.

Leading scorer: