We didn't get to one of these last week, but some interesting developments over the past few weeks in the Pacific Division. The Phoenix Coyotes, after their hot start, have come down to earth a bit and are 5-5-0 in their last ten games and Los Angeles just continues to win. Somehow.

Meanwhile, the Ducks just keep falling farther and farther behind in the division.

Being ten points behind in the division already is a bit disturbing, yet the Stars have three games in hand on both Los Angeles and San Jose ahead of them. All the Stars need to do is rattle three or four wins in a row; easy as pie, right?

San Jose Sharks; 1st in the Pacific Division, 1st in the West:

The Sharks are 7-0-3 in their last ten games and are now playing like the team everyone thought they would be when the season first started. From Fear The Fin:

The Sharks can't win in the shootout. They've got injuries. The blue line, at times, looks akin to the Mighty Ducks before Gordon Bombay got his shit together.

Well, count your lucky stars (barf), 'cause the Sharks have nothing on the Blues.

How succinct.

Leading scorer:

Los Angeles Kings; 2nd in the Pacific, 4th in the West:

The Kings have just a +2 goal differential and are 26th in the NHL is goals allowed per game. Yet they still win. From Battle of California:

Randy "Your Girlfriend's Co-Worker who Always Touches Her Back" Jones, meawhile, ended up with 2 points on the night in his Kings debut.  Jones filled in for Sean O'Donnell, which makes sense since Sean O'Donnell is old and could probably use a break every now and then.  The Kings will still use O'Donnell most of the time because he's their rock on the penalty kill and provides security for the rest of the Kings' defenders, but it's nice to know the Kings have someone like Randy "Guy Who Volunteers to Ref AYSO Games Even Though He Has No Kids" Jones to help out on defense if someone gets hurt.

Is it just me, or are the Pacific Division writers a bit angry for some reason?

Leading scorer:

Phoenix Coyotes; 4th in the Pacific, 9th in the West:

The Coyotes beat the Stars on Saturday night, but they are struggling a bit as of late. The goaltending is still doing well, but the goal scoring has been suspect:

...However we aren't getting goals from the usual suspects: Radim Vrbata got one against Dallas, Robert Lang got a couple and Scottie Upshall did a few games ago, but our "Big Names" have been pretty quiet as of late. Shane Doan has gotten some assists, but hasn't found the back of the net consistantly, Peter Mueller hasn't done much since getting his first of the year and others like Petr Prucha, Matthew Lombardi and Martin Hanzal have played well, but just haven't gotten the puck to go in. We need to start seeing some more goals for soon.

Leading scorer:

Anaheim Ducks; 5th in the Pacific Division, 15th in the West:

Yes, you read that right. The Anaheim Ducks are in 15th place in the Western conference and are threatening the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs for worst in the NHL. From Anaheim Calling:

The Ducks ended their road trip on a negative note by losing 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Todd Marchant had a great game with a shorthanded goal and an assist on Selanne's goal late in the third period.  Giguere turned in another good performance despite the Ducks desire to hand over the puck in the slot.  Most concerning for the Ducks has to be the play of Ryan Getzlaf.  Getzlaf had multiple turnovers, including the one that led to the first goal of the game, had trouble finishing his chances, and was drawn into a fight with Bill Guerin in the first minute of the third period when the Ducks were only down by 2 goals.  Having firmly secured themselves in the cellar, the Ducks will have a 7 game homestand to turn things around.  If not, Ducks fans can probably expect some changes in the roster, or better yet, the GM's office.

Leading scorer: