NHL's Californication: Can All 3 California Teams Make the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

It's the day following the NHL All-Star game and there is no better time to put playoff thoughts into perspective. Playoff dreams seem to be in reach of all three California teams, the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings.

But if you didn't know, since the Anaheim Ducks first entered the league in 1993, all three teams from the Golden State have never made the playoffs in the same season.

As we close in on the final quarter of the 2010-11 NHL season, there is a strong possibility that all three teams change that.

Here's a brief review of each teams season and a brief look into the crystal ball of what each teams future may hold:

Anaheim Ducks (5th Western Conference)

Season so far—Though most of the experts predicted that Anaheim would be absent from the postseason this year, the Ducks are have scratched their way to fifth place in the West. They are only five points behind Dallas for the lead in the Pacific Division.

They also have the most wins in their conferences division (8). 

In an article I wrote about the Ducks selecting defenseman Cam Fowler in the Entry Draft last June, I believed he would play another year or two of junior hockey before jumping to the big leagues.

So far he has played impressive, notching (5 goals, 21 assists, 26 points). One of their other defenseman, Lubomir Visnovsky has 43 points and is second only to the Coyotes Keith Yandle in points among defensemen.

Teemu Selanne, at the age of 40, has shown he still has game, so far this season he has 45 points in 43 games.

Looking ahead—The Ducks have three more games against the division leading Stars (March 4, March 23 and April 3). They also have a seven game homestand from February 23 to March 9. 

If the Ducks dominate at home and continue winning over division foes, they won't only have an appearance in the playoffs, but their second division title in team history.

San Jose Sharks (8th Western Conference)

Season so far—The Sharks have not been the same dominating team like they have been in the past few years. Goalie Antti Niemi, Stanley Cup hero for the Chicago Blackhawks last season, has struggled between the posts for the "Bay Area Bombers". Their reign as the Pacific Division's top team has been taken back by Dallas. 

The Sharks have suffered losses to Toronto and Edmonton, two teams that are among the NHL's weakest links, in a span of three days. 

Despite the struggles, rookie Logan Couture leads the team and all NHL rookies in goals (22). He is sure to join the Sharks core of elite players, such as Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau in the future.

Looking ahead—San Jose currently is nine points behind Dallas for the lead in the Pacific Division. Their first two games following the break are against divisional foes, Phoenix and Anaheim.

Following the game against Phoenix, the Sharks have a seven game road trip.

The Sharks still have a chance of winning the division, but it's small. If they struggle in their next eight games, they will just have to settle for the playoffs.

Los Angeles Kings (10th Western Conference)

Season so far—The Kings started off strong, winning 12 of their first 15 games, but then fell off by dropping seven of their next eight. They now find themselves just one point out of the playoffs.

Goalie Jonathan Quick currently is third in goals against average (2.15) and has five shutouts so far this season. He may now be one of the NHL's most underrated goaltender, as he wasn't voted to play in the All-Star game.

The Kings recently re-signed young defenseman Jack Johnson (4 goals, 29 assists). This contract will keep him in Hockeywood until 2018.

Looking ahead—Following the break, the Kings have ten consecutive road games, including games against Eastern Conference powerhouses—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.

If the Kings trade for a big-name player at the trade deadline and Quick stays strong in goal, the Kings could pretty well punch their tickets to the playoffs.

But if they can't beat anyone on their epic road trip, they will face an even steeper climb, attempting to get back into the playoffs for the second year in a row.