Kesler: 'I laughed' about Johansen's critical comments

Ryan Kesler is embracing an all-too-familiar role.

The Anaheim Ducks pest said he shrugged off Ryan Johansen's remarks about him following Game 2 on Sunday night.

"I laughed," Kesler told reporters Tuesday via Sportsnet. "Got a lot of texts from my friends and family saying they're still cheering me on. He can say whatever he wants, though. I'm not going to change my game."

The Ducks forward said winning is his only goal.

"I'm here for one reason and one reason only, and that's to win some games here, and to ultimately win the series," Kesler continued. "So he can say whatever he wants to say."

Kesler isn't too concerned about his relationship with Johansen, either.

"He's not my friend. He's not going to be my friend, and he can say whatever he wants. It seemed like he was a bit rattled, so I'm just going to go out and play my game like I always do."

Johansen ripped Kesler after the Ducks forward slashed him repeatedly and caught him with a vicious elbow in Game 2, saying he doesn't know how Kesler's family and friends "can cheer for a guy like that."

Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Nashville with the series tied 1-1.