By Ryan Carlson (@RyanCarlson88 ):
As usual, the race for the playoff spot in the Pacific is tight between California teams.
Aside from the first-place Vegas Golden Knights who are experiencing a Cinderella season, the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are all separated by 3 points.
The last time the Sharks saw the Kings in the playoffs was the 2015-16 season. San Jose beat them in five games and went on to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.
The last time the Sharks saw the Ducks in the playoffs was back in 2009, where they won the division but lost to Anaheim in round two of the playoffs in six games.
The Sharks will have a new look entering the playoffs as they will be without Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau for the first time since 2006.
But, with new additions in Evander Kane and Eric Fehr, the Sharks have shown positive signs in terms of depth and speed.
Getting production from all four lines and producing goals has been a common thread and sent on an eight-game win streak toward the end of the regular season.
Now as far as who the Sharks would fair better against, my vote would be the Los Angeles Kings, a team who the Sharks have played well against the past couple of seasons and who the Sharks know well.
The Ducks are a very good team and could give the Sharks some problems in the first round. It is going to be a race to the finish for all three California teams, but it will make for yet another great playoff season.