2011 NHL Playoff Preview: San Jose Sharks and Their Most Dangerous Opponents

The San Jose Shark are currently in the third spot in the Western Conference playoff picture. They are currently three points ahead of the next spot, and division rival, Los Angeles Kings.

The Western Conference playoff picture looks like this:

1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Phoenix Coyotes
6. Chicago Blackhawks
7. Dallas Stars
8. Calgary Flames
9. Nashville Predators- one point out of contention
10. Anaheim Ducks- two points out of contention

If the playoffs ended today, San Jose would get a playoff rematch versus the Chicago Blackhawks, who swept them en route to their Stanley Cup win last season. That could be a dangerous matchup for either team, with San Jose looking for revenge.

Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks have the chance to be the first team to clinch a playoff berth. The Canucks are one of the top contenders for the President's Trophy this year. They will be another tough opponent to face in the playoffs.

Here is an analysis of the Sharks' most dangerous playoff opponents.

9. Anaheim Ducks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 2: The Anaheim Ducks celebrate after their sudden death overtime goal against the Detroit Red Wings on March 2, 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Ducks won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

As of now, the Anaheim Ducks are two points behind the Calgary Flames for the last spot in the playoffs. Two points is nothing. They could easily get into the playoffs and eventually face the Sharks.

In the season series, so far the teams have a tied record at 2-2, with two games left against each other. The teams have split the wins in the buildings as well, with each team winning a game at home and on the road.

 Since Anaheim is still fighting for a spot in the playoffs, San Jose has the advantage. Although, it will need to be reassessed after the teams finish their season series against one another.

8. Nashville Predators

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Suter #20, Mike Fisher #12, Shea Weber #6, and Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators celebrate after a goal against the Colorado Avalanche on February 12, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Nashville Predators are currently only one point out of playoff contention. They have a good chance of getting into the playoffs as well.

Nashville and the San Jose Sharks split their season series against each other.

However, Nashville came away with more points, 6-4, since San Jose picked up both of their wins in overtime play.

Nashville could get tough to beat in the playoffs, especially if they come in on a roll.

7. Calgary Flames

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 09: Right wing Tom Kostopoulos #16 of the Calgary Flames celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on March 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

San Jose leads the season series against the Calgary Flames, 2-1. The two will face each other again on March 23.

Calgary has had their ups-and-downs this season, but have gotten their spot in the playoff picture, for now at least.

They could come in hot and be tough for the Sharks. Although, the Sharks still have the advantage.

6. Detroit Red Wings

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: (L-R) Mike Modano #90, Johan Franzen #93, Nicklas Lidstrom #5, Valtteri Filppula #51 and Jiri Hudler #26 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrate after Franzen scored a first period power play goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during th

The Detroit Red Wings are currently sitting in the second spot in the Western Conference.

The San Jose Sharks took the season series versus the Red Wings, 3-1.

Last season, the Sharks beat Detroit in the playoffs four games to one. Despite the current standings, the odds seem to be in the Sharks' favor.

5. Dallas Stars

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Center Toby Petersen #17 of the Dallas Stars celebrates a goal with Jamie Benn #14 and Alex Goligoski #33 against the San Jose Sharks at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

The San Jose Sharks may have beat the Dallas Stars handily last night, but the Stars have the lead in the season series. The Stars have won three of the five they have played, with one game left.

The game last night was very physical. It ended with players' upset, as evidenced by Steve Ott's postgame media interview.

Spite can go a long way in helping teams to win games.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" doesn't apply just to women.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 14: (L-R) Brent Seabrook #7, Jonathan Toews #19 and Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate with Patrick Kane #88 after Kane scored the one hundredth goal of his career in the 2nd period against the San Jose Sharks at the

San Jose finished as the number one seed last season. They unexpectedly were swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks.

Another playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks could go one of two ways. First, San Jose could be out for revenge and beat them. Or, Chicago could dominate and win again.

San Jose took the season series, 3-1. Chicago won last year's season series 3-1 as well and we saw how that turned out. Perhaps, this would be San Jose's time.

3. Phoenix Coyotes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 10: The Phoenix Coyotes celebrate after Brett MacLean #39 scored a second period goal against the Calgary Flames during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Imag

So far, the San Jose Sharks have swept the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0 in the season series. That would seem like the Sharks would definitely have the advantage.

However, the Coyotes cannot be underestimated. Plus, there are still three games left in the season series.

The final three games are all close to the playoffs. If the Coyotes can take the last three, they could go into the playoffs on a rhythm. And the Sharks could lose some of their momentum.

2. Los Angeles Kings

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Anze Kopitar #11, Drew Doughty #8 and Jack Johnson #3 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate Doughty's second period goal against the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. T

Playoff series involving division rivals are tough series. A playoff series with the San Jose Sharks facing the Los Angeles Kings would be no different.

The Sharks and Kings have split the season series, 2-2. They will face each other twice more before entering the playoffs.

The Sharks have the edge in the division for now, but that could be meaningless in the playoffs.

1. Vancouver Canucks

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 14: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with Jannik Hansen #36 after scoring his second goal of the night against the Minnesota Wild during the third period in NHL action on March 14, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vanco

It has been tough for anyone to beat Vancouver this year. Vancouver has dominated the Western Conference (and the Eastern Conference as well).

Tonight, Vancouver can clinch the first playoff berth this year. They are also contenders for the President's Trophy.

It seems like the fuel will run out eventually, but not necessarily. Vancouver won the season series versus San Jose, 3-1. They would probably win a playoff series against the Sharks too.