NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Ryan Kesler knows that he has managed to rattle Predators center Ryan Johansen and the veteran Anaheim Ducks center doesn’t plan on easing up.
At all.
“It doesn’t matter if I did or didn’t get in his head for me,” Kesler said Tuesday, a few hours before Game 3. “If I did, good. It means I’m doing my job. And if I didn’t, I’m going to keep doing the same things and playing defense like I have been.”
Johansen vented his frustration at Kesler’s veteran play Sunday night after Anaheim rallied in Game 2 and won 5-3 to even the Western Conference finals at 1-1. Johansen said he didn’t know how Kesler plays like that – repeatedly poking him in the groin with his stick – with family and friends watching.
The Predators did not make Johansen available Monday or Tuesday. That left teammates to answer questions Monday about this brewing battle .