Kesler not worried about Johansen’s comments

NASHVILLE — Ryan Kesler couldn’t help but laugh.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since Ryan Johansen called him out as a dirty player and questioned how Kesler’s friends and family could even cheer for him, the Anaheim Ducks agitator said he wouldn’t back down from pestering the Nashville Predators centre.

If anything, he is just getting started.

“I laughed. I got a lot of text messages from my friends and family saying they still cheered me on,” Kesler said when asked what his immediate reaction was upon hearing Johansen’s comments after Game 2. “He can say whatever he wants though, I’m not going to change my game. I’m here for one reason and one reason only and that’s to win some games here — and to ultimately win the series.”

Johansen, who headed into Game 3 of the Western Conference final with 13 points in 12 games, isn’t the first player that Kesler has targeted in the playoffs. From Calgary’s Sean Monahan to Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, skilled players have had to battle through stick work, late hits and a constant stream of chirping from this year’s Selke Trophy finalist.

But, this is the first time in these playoffs that someone has called Kesler out for crossing the line.

Not that it bothers Kesler. He said he would not change his game just because of what Johansen said. His job isn’t to make friends with the opposition. He wants Johansen to hate him. That means he is doing his job.

And while Kesler couldn’t care less about what Johansen had to say, hearing that he was upset with the extra attention was music to Kesler’s ears.

“He’s not my friend, he’s not going to be my friend and he can say whatever he wants,” said Kesler. “Obviously, it seems like he was a bit rattled so I’m just going to play my game like I always do.”

Johansen might seem rattled, but he still headed into Game 3 on Tuesday night with four points in the series. And unlike McDavid, the 6-foot3 and 218-pound forward has given back just as much as he has received. It’s that aggression which Kesler has tried to feed off of.

“Obviously, he’s a big body, good vision and he can skate, so it’s a bit different than other guys I’ve faced,” said Kesler. “He likes to use his stick a little bit. I think he’s taken two (stick) penalties on me already.

“I know he doesn’t like it now. I’m not going to let up just because he said so.”