Like a Rock: Chris Pronger

While they may be far from a one-man team, Anaheim nonetheless relies on one player more than any other.

The Ducks are, after all, essentially the same team that went to the Western Conference finals last season only to lose in five games to Edmonton, with the one important difference being that the Oilers' go-to man of a year ago, Chris Pronger, jumped ship to Disneyland in the summer. It's an addition that, combined with the maturation of several Anaheim youngsters, allowed the Ducks to reign as one of the top teams in the NHL all season, win the tight Pacific Division and, ultimately, earn home-ice advantage over the Ottawa Senators in the finals.

Pronger gives Anaheim a third 30-minute man, a luxury no other team in the league has, and between he, Scott Niedermayer and Francois Beauchemin, oh-so-little ice time is left over for the teams bottom three defenders. He also plays a tough, borderline dirty game that, given his size and wingspan, allows him to shutdown the league's top snipers many nights.

Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson are going to be seeing a lot of him.

The amazing thing is that Pronger is playing the best hockey of a Hall of Fame career at age 32, showing no signs of slowing down. Even though he missed 16 games this season with a broken toe, 20 per cent of the season, he still managed to garner another nomination for the Norris Trophy (although Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom remains the favourite).

His defensive numbers through the regular season were near the top in the league in terms of goals against at even strength (per 60 minutes), goals against shorthanded (per 60 minutes) and strength of opposition. In the playoffs, Pronger's continued his strong play, leading Anaheim in assists, points, plus minus, average ice time per game and shorthanded points. He's second in power-play points and shots on goal despite missing one game due to suspension.

Other than Martin (Baby Food) Gerber, he's the only player from last year's final series to make a return appearance.

If the Ducks win the Stanley Cup, Pronger's the definitive favourite for the Conn Smythe, something that is sure to get Edmonton's Copper Mile back partying in the streets in homage to its favourite son.

Or something.