STRETCH DRIVE PLAYER TO WATCH

The Ducks collapsed in the playo s last season largely due to a lack of secondary scoring. But the summer acquisition of

Ryan Kesler provided them with as solid a one-two punch down the middle as it gets. All eyes will be on the proven post-season performer this spring. One goal in a 14-game run through January caused some concern.

Mike Smith has had a forgettable year that will keep him restless all summer. But with four years left on his contract at a $5.67-million cap hit, he isn’t going anywhere. With an SP 30 points lower than his three-year average with the Yotes, the best the team can hope for is good body language and battling spirit down the stretch.

When Boston won the Cup in 2011, David Krejci led them in points in the regular season and playo s. He was slow to produce after missing 17 games in November and December but approached point-per-game production by February. The Bruins need more of that from their No. 2 center, whose cap hit spikes to $7.25 million next year.

Cody Hodgson didn’t score once in January and, with just two goals in 48 games, went almost two months between goals. With three years left on a deal with a $4.25-million cap hit, he needs a change of scenery. A better showing down the stretch might increase his value over the summer or rejuvenate him entering next season.

Johnny Gaudreau didn’t play more than 44 games a season in three years at Boston College, so there was concern the 150-pound rookie would hit the proverbial wall in the campaign’s final third. He is so elusive on his skates that he’s avoided full force hits and crunches in the corners. He never sustained an injury in development hockey.