Ducks asst. coach on Blackhawks' Keith: 'He is a bit of a freak of nature'
Duncan Keith almost played 50 minutes during the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-2 triple-overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday, finishing with a career-high 49:51.
That might seem like a lot of ice-time for one player, but it's not the first time Keith has played more than 45 minutes this postseason. He also reached that plateau in Chicago's triple-overtime win against the Nashville Predators in the first round, which is part of the reason he leads the postseason in time on ice with an average of 32:02.
Keith's incredible endurance isn't news to Ducks assistant coach Trent Yawney, who is well acquainted with the 31-year-old blue-liner's superlative abilities.
"He is a bit of a freak of nature," Yawney told Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. "Has been from the day he turned pro."
Yawney coached Keith with Chicago's AHL affiliate a decade ago when the defenseman was beginning his pro career. Keith's raw ability was immediately apparent.
"When Dunc came in, he had the ability," Yawney said. "It was him learning how to be a professional and learning how to defend with his body."
Keith added those tools to his game and started his trend of devouring NHL minutes as a rookie in 2005-06, when he led all Blackhawks skaters in average time on ice. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has averaged 25:19 in 766 career regular-season games and 27:54 in 106 postseason contests, and he doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
"Duncan Keith seems like he never gets tired," Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler said. "He can skate for days."