Predators don't forget about Ryan Johansen's contributions after Game 6

by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators sent a strong message to teammate Ryan Johansen after their 6-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.

It may have looked like a simple hug from defenseman Roman Josi, but it was one of love and a deep appreciation for the job Johansen had done to help the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their history.

The Predators were gathered around the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and had just finished taking a group photo. Johansen was in the middle of the photo on crutches, a visible reminder of the surgery he had to combat acute compartment syndrome after Game 4.

Josi approached a cheerful Johansen and reminded him of how important he has been to the Predators and their run to the Cup Final, which Johansen will miss.

"I told him I love him," Josi said. "We miss him. He's a huge part of our team. He played a great playoffs and we miss him. I just told him we miss him, but he's still a huge part of us."

We're headed to the finals!! Smashville... It's #lit ☝🏿️ #standwithus #pkapproved @PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/3hbiIBGGHc

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 23, 2017

There has been no shortage of adversity on Nashville's path to the Cup Final. In addition to losing Johansen, forward Kevin Fiala was knocked out of the playoffs with a fractured left femur and forward Craig Smith has been battling an injury since Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Chicago Blackhawks.

"It's something I think we worked on all year inside the locker room," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "A lot of teams talk about character and they talk about culture, and we actually worked on it a lot inside the room. And part of that is everybody accepting responsibility for our outcome and where we're at.

"And to take those pieces out is difficult. Those are big pieces. Craig Smith not being there, Kevin Fiala, Ryan Johansen, those are guys we'd like to have in the lineup but they're not available. So at the point there's only one choice, sink or swim."

The Predators will face either the Ottawa Senators or the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Final, and they'll do so without their top center.

Game 1 will take place on Monday, May 29.

But if there was ever any doubt about how much fans in Nashville appreciated the way Johansen played during the playoffs, look no further than before the start of Game 6.

Former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, one of the most beloved figures in Nashville sports history, served as the pregame towel waver and hype man to the roar of the crowd. The camera on the Jumbotron then flashed to Johansen and Fiala, and the volume was perhaps as loud as it was when the Predators clinched the Western Conference.


In that moment, and after the Predators had won, Johansen's smile couldn't be wiped off his face. His teammates hope they can give him another reason to smile with four more wins.

Preds' Johansen diagnosed with rare syndrome

(TSX / STATS) -- Nashville Predators forward Ryan Johansen is recovering from emergency surgery after he sustained a serious left thigh injury during Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

An update from the Predators on Sunday indicated the seriousness of Johansen's condition before the procedure and identified the injury.

The 24-year-old Johansen is out for the remainder of the playoffs. His recovery is expected to take two to three months.

"On Thursday, Ryan Johansen was treated for an acute compartment syndrome of the left thigh," Predators general manager David Poile said in a statement. "Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications.

"His symptoms developed shortly after the end of Game 4 in Nashville, and as they progressed, he was diagnosed, transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and had surgery performed by head team physician Dr. Jed Kuhn within two hours of his diagnosis. As a result, he had no permanent injury to his muscle, nerves or blood vessels and we expect a full and complete recovery."

It's uncertain when Johansen suffered the injury, but he managed to finish the game.

"At some point, Ryan sustained an injury, was able to make it through the game," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "And then upon further assessment, had to move on from there with the doctors."

Johansen was leading the team with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the playoffs. The Predators are up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series after winning Game 5 on Saturday at Anaheim.

"I am forever thankful for the support and well wishes I have received the past few days," Johansen tweeted. "Feeling much better now."

During the regular season, Johansen collected 14 goals and 47 assists to tie for the team lead with 61 points while playing in all 82 regular-season games.

Johansen has scored 101 goals and set up 187 others in 433 career games with Columbus and Nashville since being selected by the Blue Jackets with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft.

Saturday's Game 5 was the first game that Johansen missed since coming to Nashville in a trade with Columbus in January 2016.

Draisaitl, Johansen, Josi named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Johansen, and Roman Josi as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on May 7, 2017.

FIRST STAR - LEON DRAISAITL, F, EDMONTON OILERS

Draisaitl is the first Oilers player with multiple four-point games in a playoff year since 1988 (Messier, Anderson, Kurri, Gretzky). Draisaitl is the first Oilers player with 3 goals in a playoff game since 2000 (Weight & Guerin in Games 3-4 of CQF, respectively). He became 1st player w/ 5 points in Stanley Cup Playoff game since 2015 CF, when Derick Brassard (3-2—5) helped the Rangers force Game 7.

SECPND STAR - RYAN JOHANSEN, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Johansen became the eighth different Predators player to score a game-winning goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

THIRD STAR - ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi scored in Nashville's 3-1 win over St. Louis to advance to the Westrn Conference Finals.

Predators and Blue Jackets trade Johansen and Jones

"The Neutral Zone" Roster Report

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded center Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Seth Jones on Wednesday.

"Trading Ryan Johansen was not easy, but improving our blue line has been a priority for us, and to acquire a player of Seth's caliber, you have to give up a player of value," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "We have been through a lot with Joey over the years and he has been a very good player for us. On behalf of our organization, I want to thank him for all he has done on and off the ice for our team and in our community."