Vancouver Canucks: Who Do They Prefer as a First-Round Opponent?

The end of the regular season is just over two weeks away, and teams are starting to get an idea of who they'll be facing in the playoffs, if anyone.

The list of eligible Canuck opponents is becoming clear, but it isn't short.

With the odds of catching St. Louis slim, and the odds of falling to third or losing the Northwest lead is even smaller, the Canucks will most likely finish in second in the West; facing the No. 7 seeded team.

As it stands, the candidates for that position are Calgary, Colorado, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Jose, with no team holding a clear advantage.

As the season unfolds, the Canucks will be watching these teams play, hoping their preferences for the first round will fall into place...but who are those preferred teams?

The following compares the possible Canuck matchups and who they might be hoping for.

6. Los Angeles Kings

Past two season record vs Los Angeles: 3-2-2

Although the Kings are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs this season, they are a dangerous team. Whether it's with their potent offense of Brown, Kopitar, Richards and Carter, or their world class goaltending, the Kings have the ability to beat any team in a seven game series.

More importantly, even if the Canucks were to prevail in this series, there would likely be casualties along the way. With the NHL's No. 2 hitter Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Willie Mitchell and Drew Doughty, the Kings have bone-crushing abilities.

The Los Angeles Kings are the most likely team to beat the Canucks in a playoff series, as well as the most likely to dish out injuries. The Canucks will be keeping a close eye on the Kings, praying they fall out of the race before the season ends.

5. Phoenix Coyotes

Past two season record vs Phoenix: 4-3-1

Many didn't expect the Phoenix Coyotes to be a playoff team when the season began after the departure of Ilya Bryzgalov.

They proved the hockey world wrong with the amazing performances of Mike Smith, Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata.

Although Phoenix doesn't look too great on paper, it's the unknowns that make them such a dangerous team. This team is full of players who are capable of game changing plays, and it's identifying those players and matching the defenders against them that's hard.

In addition, the Phoenix have gotten the best of the Canucks more than any other teams on this list in the past two seasons.

4. San Jose Sharks

Past two season record vs San Jose: 6-0-2

The Canucks have gotten the best of the Sharks recently, defeating them in the conference finals and picking up 14 of a possible 16 points in two seasons.

Despite that and San Jose's reputation of choking in the playoffs, San Jose is still an intimidating team.

They've got playoff experience in Antti Niemi, scoring ability (especially since the return of Martin Havlat) all down the line and incredible size.

Much like the Kings, the Sharks have the ability to do some damage in a playoff series, which the Canucks learned in a physical bout last May.

If the Sharks were to make the playoffs and lose again, it would be in the Canucks' best interest if it was against someone else.

3. Colorado Avalanche

Past two season record vs Colorado: 9-0-1

There is no team in the league the Canucks have dominated more than the Colorado Avalanche in the past few seasons, but that doesn't mean they would be first choice in the playoffs.

On one hand the inexperience of the Avalanche will likely play in the Canucks favor; on the other, there have been some significant changes since the Canucks last beat Colorado five weeks ago.

Firstly, Semyon Varlamov has found his game (not that he was to blame for the losses against Vancouver).

Next, Gabriel Landeskog has developed into an absolute force. The star rookie got off to a slow start this season, but has since developed into a great all-round player and holding a clear plus-minus advantage on the team.

Most importantly, the Canucks have yet to play Colorado with Jamie McGinn and Steve Downie in the lineup, both of whom have proven offensive and physical abilities.

A series against Colorado could go the same way their past two seasons have gone against the team, but it's a gamble. Either way, the Canucks will get a sneak peak of this new-look Avalanche roster tomorrow night in Denver.

2. Dallas Stars

Past two season record vs Dallas: 5-1-1

After going 4-0-0 against Dallas last season, the Canucks are just 1-1-1 this time around. Of course, Dallas has been an all round better team this year.

Despite the struggles the Canucks have had against Dallas this season, they remain one of the weaker teams on this list.

The Canucks would probably take a series against Dallas, but then again the Stars have been full of surprises this season.

Another cause for concern against the Stars is whether or not Steve Ott and Mark Fistric will let the Nucks get out alive.

1. Calgary Flames

Past two season record vs Calgary: 7-1-2

Calgary is the worst team in this race, both on paper and in the standings. Many expected Jay Feaster and the Flames to be major sellers at the deadline. Instead, they elected to go for the playoffs without actually making additions.

Vancouver would handily take a playoff series against the Calgary Flames, but that's not to say it wouldn't be an exciting battle between the two rivals.

I will certainly be rooting for Calgary to pick up their game and finish in seventh in the coming weeks.

Predictions

Although I do have my preferences on the Canuck opponents, I also have my predictions. If the predictions from my last article pan out, the Western Conference will finish as follows:

1.  St. Louis Blues

2.  Vancouver Canucks

3.  Los Angeles Kings

4.  Nashville Predators

5.  Detroit Red Wings

6.  Chicago Blackhawks

7.  San Jose Sharks

8.  Phoenix Coyotes

9.  Dallas Stars

10.  Colorado Avalanche

11.  Calgary Flames