San Jose Sharks: Brent Burns and Players That Can Get Sharks over Playoff Hump

The San Jose Sharks' relative lack of playoff success in recent years is well-documented.

Despite finishing near the top of the NHL standings for seasons on end, the Sharks have yet to make an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Back-to-back appearances in the Conference Finals indicate that San Jose is poised to take that next step, however. They have performed very well during their last two playoff runs and have undoubtedly gained some valuable experience along the way.

Increasing their Stanley Cup odds for this season is the addition of a handful of players that address what were glaring weaknesses in the Sharks lineup over the last couple of years. These additions, coupled with the emergence and growth of some of their other players, should make San Jose a top contender this season. 

Winning is a team effort that requires contributions from each and every player, especially come playoff time. With that said, it's also important to have a few guys that can be counted on to pick up the slack and step up their games when the stakes are high. 

Here are five players who will be key in helping the Sharks conquer their playoff demons. 

Martin Havlat

Martin Havlat brings world-class skating ability, strong puck control and impressive playmaking skills to the San Jose Sharks lineup.

His speed is a welcome addition to the top six, where previously, Patrick Marleau was the only player with that kind of skating ability. Having two high-end skaters on the top two lines will help create offense and move the puck up ice quickly.

Havlat's puck control provides the Sharks with an element that they haven't had in recent years. He's capable of dancing around defenders and creating scoring chances out of very little, which will make him an offensive catalyst for the team.

With eight points in 11 games played this season, Havlat is already making an impact and has quickly adjusted to San Jose's system. He's a difference maker and will be an integral part of the offense moving forward.  

Dan Boyle

Acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer of 2008, Dan Boyle stepped into the San Jose Sharks lineup as the No. 1 defenseman and power play quarterback and was quick to solidify himself as an All-Star caliber rearguard. 

In three seasons with the Sharks, Boyle has finished each campaign with at least 50 points and a positive plus/minus. He has been terrific in the postseason as well, where he has scored at just under a point-per-game pace since joining San Jose, including a stellar 16 points in 18 games last year. 

Boyle is now 35 years old and will soon begin to decline with age, but for now, he is still among the NHL's elite defensemen and is one of the top puck-movers in the game. With 10 points in 15 games so far this season, he's clearly not slowing down yet. 

Boyle is a leader and a big-game performer who plays his best hockey when the stakes are high. Where are the stakes the highest? You guessed it. The Stanley Cup Finals. 

Michal Handzus

He isn't a scorer or an elite skater, but Michal Handzus is a terrific shut-down center who can play a relentlessly physical game while chipping in on the scoresheet. 

Handzus possesses a high hockey IQ and strong on-ice awareness. He's a smart, experienced veteran who is responsible in all three zones. 

Players like Handzus become extremely important in the playoffs, when quick thinking, level headedness and experience are key to success. He may not light it up in the offensive zone, but he will play a crucial role in shutting down the opposition and providing a steady veteran presence for an otherwise very young bottom six.  

Joe Thornton

Joe Thornton is the San Jose Sharks captain and best player. He frequently leads the team in scoring and finishes the regular season among the top scorers in the league. 

Widely recognized as an elite talent and terrific regular season performer, Thornton has received criticism throughout his career for not playing up to par during the postseason, despite the fact that he has scored at just under a point-per-game pace during the playoffs since joining the Sharks. 

Thornton stepped his game up in a big way during last season's playoff run with 17 points in 18 games, earning him the respect of many doubters and silencing his critics. 

The 32-year-old pivot is a man on a mission and will once again be San Jose's go-to player this year. 

Brent Burns

Brought in over the offseason to give the San Jose Sharks a mobile, two-way defenseman, Brent Burns scored an impressive 17 goals for the Minnesota Wild last season, but has looked a little out of place so far this year.

Still, the 6'5" rearguard is a scoring threat and an imposing physical presence, as well as a very strong skater. He's beginning to grow more comfortable with his new team and has played a very disciplined game this season, with no penalty minutes to date. 

Burns has plenty of time to adjust to the Sharks system, and his skill-set fits their needs perfectly. He's a factor on both ends of the rink, and the transition he's beginning to make to become a more poised and reliable player will make him that much more effective come playoff time.  

Sam Kelly is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @samkelly10.