NHL Playoff Predictions: Vancouver Canucks' Most Dangerous Opponents

Last week, the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Canucks clinched the first playoff spot in the West, along with the Northwest Division, for their third consecutive year.

The Canucks have dominated most of the teams they have faced this year. They currently have a 47-17 record and were the first, and only to this point, team to reach the 100 point mark this year.

It seems inevitable that the Canucks will capture the President's Trophy this year.

Can the Canucks continue to dominate and charge their way through the playoffs and into a Stanley Cup Championship? Or will they run out of steam and get eliminated in the playoffs?

Either is quite possible.

As of today, the Western Conference standings are as follows:

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

Here are the Canucks most dangerous opponents in the Western Conference in the playoffs.

9. Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 09: Center Tomas Vincour #81 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his first NHL goal with Jamie Benn #14 and Toby Petersen #17 against the Calgary Flames at American Airlines Center on March 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martin

As of today, the Dallas Stars have the same number of points as the No. eight seed Anaheim Ducks. However, the Ducks have the advantage from the season series, so the Stars are out of contention, in the ninth spot.

If the Stars move up into contention, they would likely be no problem for the hot Canucks.

The Canucks swept the Stars in the four-game season series, all by multiple point margins.

The Stars don't stand much of a chance.

8. Calgary Flames

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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)

The Calgary Flames are currently one point behind both the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars. They sit in the tenth spot in the West.

They still have some time left to regain a playoff spot.

Calgary can be an excellent team, when they're on a roll.

They haven't been on a roll versus Vancouver this season, though. The Canucks lead the season series 4-1, with one more matchup between the two teams left on the schedule.

In a playoff matchup between the two teams, the odds are in Vancouver's favor.

7. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 27: (clockwise from top) Luca Sbisa #5, Bobby Ryan #9, Brandon McMillan #64 and Jason Blake #33 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate McMillan's go ahead goal in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on February

The Anaheim Ducks are currently sitting uncomfortably at the last spot in the Western Conference playoff picture, with Dallas and Calgary close on their tails.

If the season ended today though, Anaheim would face Vancouver in the first round of the playoffs.

That could be a difficult series for the Canucks, with the season series split 2-2, and Anaheim gathering more points in the season series (due to a shootout).

6. Nashville Predators

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 26: Center Colin Wilson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Oh, how quickly things in the Western Conference can change! Last week, Nashville wasn't in a playoff spot, this week they are (for now at least).

Nashville is in the No. seven spot, sharing the same number of points as the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings. They are only one point ahead of No. eight seed Anaheim and nine spot Dallas.

Even though Nashville has had their struggles, they could be tough to beat, especially if they get hot going into the playoffs.

Plus, against Vancouver in the season series, they lead 2-1, with one game left to play.

5. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 20: Eric Belanger #20 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrates with teammates after scoring a second period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 20, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris

The Phoenix Coyotes are currently in as the No. four seed, three points ahead of the next three teams and three behind division rival San Jose.

The Coyotes aren't considered a really serious contender up against the likes of the top three teams ahead of them. However, they cannot be underestimated. They could easily upset any of those teams, including Vancouver.

The Coyotes split the season series versus Vancouver at two wins apiece. Two of the games were one goal margins, with each team winning one.

If Vancouver meets Phoenix in the semifinals or even conference finals, that could spell trouble for the Canucks.

4. San Jose Sharks

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: The San Jose Sharks celebrate a goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The San Jose Sharks are currently in the third spot in the Western Conference, three points over division rival Phoenix.

If the Sharks and Canucks can both make it past their first round opponents, they could very well meet one another in the semifinals or conference finals.

That would be a great series to watch, because it would presumably be very close.

However, Vancouver took the season series three games to one, with two games decided in a shootout.

3. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Jarret Stoll #28, Drew Doughty #8 and Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate Stoll's third period goal against the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The

The Los Angeles Kings are currently in the sixth spot in the Western Conference. They trail closest division rival Phoenix by three points and division leader San Jose by six points.

Against Vancouver this year, the Kings lead the series 2-1, with one game remaining.

The Kings could be a dangerous opponent for Vancouver in the playoffs because they could eliminate them. Or, even if they don't eliminate them, they could tire them out for the rest of the playoffs.

Last year, the two teams met in the first round of the playoffs. Vancouver prevailed, four games to two. However, they played another six-game series after that versus the Blackhawks, eventually succumbing to Chicago.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 20: Goaltender Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates with teammates after defeating the Phoenix Coyotes in the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 20, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyote

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently in the fifth spot in the Western Conference.

However, the Stanley Cup-defending Blackhawks would be a very dangerous opponent for the Canucks.

Though the two teams have split the season series, Chicago has prevailed the previous two years over the Canucks in the playoffs.

Since historical precedent is often an indicator of future performance, it would be best for the Canucks if they avoid the Blackhawks.

1. Detroit Red Wings

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: Johan Franzen #93, Jiri Hudler #26 and Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrate after Filppula scored a second period goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 5, 2011 in Gl

Detroit is currently in the second spot in the Western Conference, two points ahead of No. three seed San Jose. They are eight points ahead of their closest division rivals Chicago, so it seems unlikely that they won't win the division.

Detroit would be a very dangerous playoff opponent.

Detroit leads the season series versus Vancouver, two games to one, with one game remaining. Plus, Detroit has extensive playoff experience. With a healthy team, Detroit is a potent opponent.

Since Vancouver has not made it past the semifinals anytime recently, they might not have enough left in them to overpower Detroit if they meet them in the conference finals.