Where would the Anaheim Ducks be if it wasn't for Ryan Kesler?
Probably not in a battle for the Western Conference Championship title.
Kesler has stepped up his game to a whole different level. He's always among the league's most elite when it comes to defensive-minded forwards, but he has had to battle a whole different demon in Chicago.
Kesler dominated the first two series of the playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames, finishing with four goals and five assists, averaging a point per game. Any line that matched up against Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg and Matt Beleskey were simply overplayed.
Kesler has found himself up against the Jonathan Toews line, and Toews may be his match as far as defensive-minded forwards go. Kesler has been reduced to just four total shots on goal in the first two games, and hasn't got a point in this series.
Should Kesler return to that level of play he found himself in in the first two rounds, the Ducks will be pretty difficult to beat.
(h/t Pucks of a Feather)
Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty/USA Today Sports
