3 Players Who Must Step Up For The Ducks Against Chicago

Ryan Kesler

Mar 18, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during the overtime against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Home ice advantage in the playoffs is obviously significant for a number of reasons but the most important factor of playing at home is being able to make the last change. In games one and two Bruce Boudreau will have the luxury of making the last change and getting the matchup he wants against Chicago’s top two lines. This opens up a number of possibilities including the opportunity to match up Ryan Kesler against Chicago’s number one center Jonathan Toews.

Ryan Kesler will not only give the Ducks the best chance at slowing down the Toews line, but it will create mismatches for Ryan Getzlaf as well. Getzlaf and the Ducks top line holds a significant size advantage over Chicago’s second and third lines so getting Kesler on the ice against Toews will result in the 6 foot 200 pound center’s Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette being forced to play against the 6 foot 4, 220 pound Getzlaf. Kesler has the ability to win faceoffs and make life difficult on opposing centers as well. Whether they are asked to shutdown Toews and the first line or Patrick Kane and the second line, Kesler and Jakob Silfveberg are elite two way forwards familiar with playing a shutdown role.

The defensive aspect of Kesler’s game is important but it is also his clutch goal scoring ability that will allow him to counter Chicago’s offensive talent. The Ducks knew they had to improve their depth up the middle during the offseason and acquiring Kesler allows them to not only keep up with a team like Chicago, it gives them a legitimate shot to take down the Hawks.

To Help Anaheim Win Kesler Must…

To secure a two games to none lead as the series heads to Chicago for game three, Kesler must shutdown Toews or Kane. He will be heavily used on the penalty kill and his face off reliability will be extremely important as well. Kesler must round out his two way game by generating offense as it is likely he will be playing against one of Chicago’s top two lines and forcing the Toews or Kane line to spend a lot of time defending could help the Ducks tremendously. Kesler must finish every check especially on the star players of Chicago. If Kesler can punish Toews and Kane with heavy checks and strong back-checking then he will be the MVP of this series.

If Kesler Plays Poorly…

If Kesler is unable to handle his defensive responsibilities it will allow Chicago to eliminate the matchup threat that the Ducks present. If Kesler can not continue to help Matt Belesky and Jakob Silfverberg score then the Ducks will be in trouble as their secondary scoring may disappear. Penalty killing will be huge for the Ducks and if Kesler takes bad penalties Chicago will capitalize. If Kesler does not play a strong two way game it will force Ryan Getzlaf to play against Chicago’s strong defensive first line who have the ability to slow down Corey Perry as well. Ryan Kesler has the ability to send the Ducks to the stanley cup finals but a weak performance could very well have the Ducks watching the cup finals from home.

Next: Andrew Cogliano