The Anaheim Ducks' defensive depth is a well-known strength for the club, and it's showing in spades with the emergence of Shea Theodore through three games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With top-four regulars Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen on the shelf with injuries, Theodore, 21, has played a massive role in Anaheim's commanding 3-0 series lead over the Calgary Flames.

After recording just nine points in 34 games this season, Theodore's produced five points in three playoff contests, including two goals in the Ducks' improbable Game 3 comeback. He ranks first among defenseman in postseason scoring, and sits tied for second overall in the early going.

More importantly for the Ducks - should his offensive production cool off, which is a rather likely scenario - Theodore's all-around impact has been strong.

In Games 1 and 3, he led all Ducks blue-liners in Corsi For percentage, posting marks of 56.67% and 58.33%. Fittingly, he's seen an increase in ice time as the series has progressed, reaching 22:19 on Monday night.

Unless Calgary can become the fifth team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 series deficit, Anaheim is staring at an opportunity for added rest before Round 2. Meanwhile, the thought of adding Fowler and Vatanen back into a D-corps that's already firing on all cylinders is likely an imposing one for the rest of the Western Conference.

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