Anaheim Ducks Round Table: Can they step up in time for the playoffs?

The latest Anaheim Ducks round table discussion takes aim at who needs to step up to ensure a playoff berth.

With the hockey playoffs inching closer by the minute, the Anaheim Ducks need points to get in the playoffs anyway they can. Its crunch time now as we enter the last quarter of the season. The real question is who can help them get there and who needs to step up to make sure the Ducks make one of the eight playoff sports.

Round Table Question: Who needs to step up for this team to make it to the playoffs?

Ed Stein:

I have three answers for you for different reasons.

Ryan Kesler – I realize this is unfair, due to his off-season hip surgery. Simply put, the Ducks need his swagger back. Last night was the first appearance of the hard checking, Selke winning, leave it all out on the ice every night player Ducks fans love. A little more offense to take the heat off of linemate Jakob Silfverberg would be an added bonus.

John Gibson – He is Anaheim’s best player. Without Gibson’s outstanding performances this season, the Ducks wouldn’t be within a sniff of the postseason. Why is he on the list then? This is hockey and its a physically tough sport.

Yesterday was the third time in a month that Gibson left a game due to injury. The Ducks are notoriously tight lipped about such things, so we don’t know the real extent. Somewhere along the line his teammates need to see that he is in the fight with them and can be depended on to lead them.

Bob Murray – The first two names on my list aren’t is important as this one. If making the playoffs is a priority to Murray, than he has to get the Ducks a scorer. This team has enough “character” players and complimentary pieces. What they don’t have is a player who can score on a regular basis. This one is on the GM and his vision for this team.