When it comes to the matchups for the Western Conference Finals, there's nothing set in stone yet. But the one that stands out with the potential for the most drama -- and maybe even the most blood -- is the one between centers Ryan Kesler of the Ducks and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks.
Following the Ducks' Game 5 win over Calgary Sunday night, Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau dropped a hint that the two might go to battle in the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boudreau, Kesler and the other center that might be tasked with shutting down Toews, Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, aren't saying a solid yes or no.
"I don't know who I'm going against. I'm sure I'll be going up against a bunch of guys," Kesler said. "It's hard to pick one line on that series since they have a couple dangerous lines. We'll see how it all comes out."
But with so many days off before the series starts, it's fun to speculate.
This matchup of two of the game's best two-way centers is a throwback to the postseason battles of old. From 2009-2011 Kesler's Canucks and Toews' Blackhawks clashed in the postseason with no series going less than six games. The Canucks finally defeated Chicago in 2011, ending the Blackhawks' repeat bid before going on to the Cup final themselves. Throw in a couple U.S. vs. Canada Olympic games and it's arguably a bonafide rivalry.
Toews, the Chicago captain, has very few weaknesses. Toews can make you pay offensively in a myriad of ways and his perennial Selke Trophy nomination shows his defensive prowess, as well. Skilled with the stick and strong in traffic, Toews plays every game like it's Game 7.
Determined and focused, "Captain Serious" has a demeanor that spreads throughout the dressing room. Through two rounds in the postseason, he has four goals, seven assists and two players in the middle of scoring lines that he's rendered useless (Minnesota's Zach Parise, Nashville's Matt Cullen).
The Western Conference Final schedule is set! #LetsGoDucks pic.twitter.com/UIhkFjYfkV
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 14, 2015
Kesler is perpetually pissed off, but it's a good thing for an Anaheim team that typically boasts a disposition as sunny as its Orange County surroundings.
"We laugh at him when he's grumpy," Boudreau said. "But he is who he is, and that's what makes him great."
No one is laughing when they get in the faceoff circle with Kesler.
The second-line center's 63.7 percent rate off the draw is the best in the postseason and it's given the Ducks' scoring line an advantage. Limiting the possessions of the Blackhawks' top line is never a detriment.
"Our goal is to win 16 games, not eight, 10 or 12." - Focused #NHLDucks take aim at Chicago: http://t.co/9QF3gmTCuP https://t.co/RYIVtRMasv
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 12, 2015
Kesler was once a Selke Trophy finalist himself and it's surprising that he wasn't again this season given the way he shut down top centermen like the Kings' Anze Kopitar all season. In the conference semifinals, Kesler and Nate Thompson shared the defensive duties when Flames top-line center Sean Monahan was on the ice. Monahan was limited to one goal and was a minus-3.
Kesler and Getzlaf both are skaters who can keep up with Toews play-for-play, stride-for-stride. Getzlaf would have somewhat of a size advantage, with two inches and nearly 20 pounds on Toews.
While this matchup might be the most intriguing, it's only one in a series that will feature plenty. What else do you debate with about four days left until the puck drops?
"It doesn't matter to me who I'm playing against," Getzlaf said. "There's nothing individual about the playoffs, that's for sure. For us, we're looking at their team as a whole and the things that they do well. We're going to have to be prepared for it this week to get prepared for Sunday."
