Major League Soccer on Saturday night at Toyota Park in B

Ryan Kesler is having a monster season for the Anaheim Ducks -- at both ends of the rink.Being tied for the team lead with 28 points (12-16) only starts to tell the story. His shutdown game against top offensive stars has also really sparkled.Tyler Seguin (two games), Joe Pavelski (three games), Connor McDavid (two games), John Tavares (two games) and Anze Kopitar (one game) are a few of the top-end players whom Kesler has shut down -- as in zero even-strength goals scored against the Ducks while he was on the ice. Linemates?Andrew Cogliano and?Jakob Silfverberg?are vital to that end as well.Faceoffs, penalty killing, power play -- the 32-year-old Livonia, Michigan, native is doing it all. He won the Selke Trophy as the NHLs top defensive forward in 2011 while still with the Vancouver Canucks, and was nominated last season. Hes making a strong case again in 2016-17.I sat down with Kesler on Sunday afternoon and asked him to break down the top (mostly Western Conference) forwards hes routinely assigned to contain, and the challenges those star players bring:Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles KingsKesler: A guy whos good on both sides of the puck. He works hard, he has good vision and I feel that if he starts with the puck, he really likes to build speed through the neutral zone. He likes to get the puck in the middle of the ice and distribute from there. So, really just trying to stay above him in the neutral zone is whats key. And winning faceoffs.Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton OilersKesler: He likes his neutral-zone play, he likes carrying the puck and getting there with speed. Youve just got to stay close to him. Hes so dynamic, hes so explosive -- you got to be above him all the time. Hes going to get his chances, but thats when the whole line comes into effect. Just got to try and stay above him and be hard on him, make him hate playing against you. Stay close to him and really make that neutral zone tough because thats where he generates most of his offense, and on the rush.Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago BlackhawksKesler: When Kane had his breakout year, it was always [difficult] playing against him. Hes more dangerous offensively. I feel like hes the life force of that team that really gets his whole team playing like he does. That line normally is him and [Artemi] Panarin. They like to swing really low, almost to the top of the circle and pick up the puck -- their D do a good job of pulling it back and stretching the zone. For us, we dont want to be sitting ducks in the neutral zone, we want to be up and have speed and skate with them. Kane is dynamic; hes going to get his chances, just like McDavid. But for me, its just swinging with him and not letting him get the puck [on the breakout], letting his center, [Artem] Anisimov, carrying it up the ice rather than Kane. Id much rather have Anisimov carrying it through the neutral zone than Kane.Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh PenguinsKesler: Everybody knows what hes about. Hes the best player in the game, probably. What can you say? Hes going to get his chances, hes explosive. He can dish, he can shoot, hes good around the net, hes strong. ... He doesnt say much on the ice. Hes a guy that really just goes about his business and puts up points. We didnt have much success against him this year [a 5-1 loss]. You just try to play him hard and know where other people on the ice are with him. Because if you just focus on him, hes going to give somebody else a tap-in.John Tavares, C, New York IslandersKesler: Probably the best one-on-one player in the NHL. Hes a guy that you have to be aware of because you think he has nothing, and then he turns it into something. Hes a guy that competes extremely hard. He battles on the draw. He makes things happen.Joe Pavelski, C/W, and Joe Thornton, C, San Jose SharksKesler: Its tough. Especially [on] faceoffs, when both can take them on their strong side, right or left. That line has so many faceoff plays, and usually with [defenseman Brent] Burns out there, too. Its a whole line you have to be aware of. They like their plays, like behind the net -- Thornton likes distributing from there. And Pavelski is a guy youve got to tie his stick up, he gets his stick on everything. For me, its just being hard on those guys. Jumbo [Thornton] likes to use his body and, [given] his reach ... youve got to try and get close, get stick on puck and take away his options. ... Thornton and I have had our battles over the years, but I think its a respect thing. We have our talks out there, he seems like a good guy, but hes the enemy. [smiles]Henrik Sedin, C, and Daniel Sedin, W, Vancouver CanucksKesler: Theyre good guys, probably the nicest guys in the league, to be honest. With them, youve got to play them hard. Its tough, obviously theyre [my] friends, but you cant let them off the hook. You have to finish your checks on them, you have to deter them physically. Youve always got to know where both of them are. They have their little plays. I think since I played with them for so long, it might be a bit easier for me because I know their reads and I know their tendencies.Tyler Seguin, RW, and Jamie Benn, C, Dallas StarsKesler: We had a tough time with them last time [a 6-2 loss]. Theyre a line that takes chances. ... We know if we turn the puck over, all three guys on that line are gone. You dont want to push too much and turn pucks over. With that line, we try to counter a lot and make them play in their own zone.Bonus question: Is Benn a guy where you dont want to poke the bear?Kesler: Hes the life of that team. They tend to feed off him when he gets into fights and when hes physical. So, if hes sleeping, were going to let him sleep.Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis BluesKesler: I think I fought him last year. I feel like I can deter him. For him, hes a skilled player, he can shoot the hell out of the puck, hes going to get his chances. For me, its limiting time and space. I know he likes his snap shot; he pulls it in and releases it really good. So, the less he has the puck, the better for us.Matt Duchene, C, Colorado AvalancheKesler: Speed, obviously, with him -- hes got a good release and a good shot. You try to deter him physically and just be hard on him. If I dont have a read on a guy, I just try to outwork him.Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg JetsKesler: Hes come on, really good player. Hes having a great year. He has that shot on the power play from the middle of the ice. The big thing is making him work off the draw. If you win the draw, youre most likely going to win the battle that shift. Boty Nmd Levne . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Boty Adidas Nmd Levně . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. http://www.botynmdlevne.com/adidas-nmd-damske-levne/nmd-r2.html . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Adidas Nmd Dámské Levně . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. Adidas Nmd Levně Damske . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. The Chicago Fire will try to pick up the pieces after matching a franchise worst by surrendering six goals last week when they play host to the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer on Saturday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.Chicago (5-12-8, 23 points) slipped back into the MLS Eastern Conference cellar after last Saturdays 6-2 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium that wrapped up a stretch of three games in seven days that included a victory and a draw.Philadelphia (11-9-7, 40 points) comes in with wins in three of its last four games. The Union picked up nine points in that span as they try to secure a good position for the upcoming playoffs.The Fire played with 10 men through much of last Saturdays game after an iill-timed red card issued to Khaly Thiam in the 34th minute.dddddddddddd The six goals were the most since the Fire suffered a 5-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 27, 2014.Chicago has scored only 29 goals, tied with New England for fewest in the East. Forward David Accam tops the Fire with seven goals.Midfielder/forward Chris Pontius leads the Union with 10 goals and five assists. Midfielder Roland Alberg is next with nine goals.The teams have split two meetings this season. Chicago claimed a 1-0 decision on April 2 at Toyota Park and Philadelphia won 4-3 on June 22 at Talen Energy Stadium. ' ' '