Division rival Sharks pose a challenge to early success

Despite all the Ducks have done in their record start to the season, they find the San Jose Sharks nipping at their heels as the two teams meet for the first time tonight.

The Ducks improved to 14-2-5 with their 6-4 victory over Phoenix on Sunday, but their Western Conference-leading 33 points are only three more than the Sharks’, making the first of eight matchups all the more important between teams expected to battle all season for the Pacific Division title.

“It’s a divisional game, and divisional points are huge,” center Todd Marchant said. “You look at the standings and we’re pretty much neck and neck. It’s going to take nothing short of a great, 60-minute effort to beat a team like the San Jose Sharks.”

As expected, reigning league most valuable player Joe Thornton is off to another strong start, but fellow center Patrick Marleau leads the Sharks with 12 goals and 24 points. Right wing Jonathan Cheechoo is well off the pace of his 56-goal season a year ago, but left wing Milan Michalek has picked up the slack with nine goals and 14 assists.

San Jose also brings in the league’s best power play. The Sharks are converting at 24.3%.

“The best way to kill a good power play is to stay out of the box,” Marchant said.

“It sounds simple but it’s true. We can’t expect to give them 10 power plays and expect to win the hockey game. You can’t take that many penalties against a good power play, no matter if it’s San Jose or any other team.”

TONIGHT

vs. San Jose, 7, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 14-2-5, Sharks 15-6-0.

Record vs. Sharks (2005-06) -- 4-3-1.

Update -- Defenseman Ian Moran cleared waivers and reported to the team’s minor-league affiliate in Portland, Maine. Forward Teemu Selanne has 81 points in his career against his former team, the most of any player against the Sharks.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com