Johansen trade paying off
linemate Viktor Arvidsson with 61 points in his first full regular season in Nashville, and he also handed out a team-high 47 assists. Only 10 players in the NHL had more this season.
“I think Ryan’s had an excellent year and just the growth for me in him as a person and as a leader as somebody who wants to be that guy, to make a difference and make sure a team moves in the right direction, it’s been noticeable this year that he’s really trying to take ownership,” Laviolette said.
Predators forward Colin Wilson called the trade another great move considering Nashville needed a big No. 1 centre and got it in Johansen.
“He’s been great for us,” Wilson said. “In a game that’s gotten big and fast, it’s nice to have him there, and he’s been producing well for us and that line in general wasn’t here three, four years ago. So to have him and constantly be producing has certainly helped.”
Johansen outplayed Chicago captain Jonathan Toews as Nashville swept the Blackhawks in the first round. In one moment as they fought for the puck, the 218-pound Johansen stiff-armed Toews to the ice to grab possession.
“He’s obviously really a really big guy,” linemate Filip Forsberg said of Johansen. “And he can move well too, and I think just one of those guys that can do it all.”
Johansen also outplayed St. Louis centre Paul Stastny in the second round and now is winning 55.7 per cent of his faceoffs.
Johansen ranks ninth this postseason with seven assists behind Evgeni Malkin, Leon Draisaitl, Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie and Ryan Getzlaf. He only has two goals through 10 games, but he scored the biggest yet Sunday with a backhander to finish off a 2-on-1 early in the third period for the gamewinner as Nashville eliminated St. Louis in six games.
That was exactly what Nashville hoped for in trading for Johansen, who called scoring that goal a “good feeling.”
“But, coming in here, I just believed in myself, and I’m going to continue believing in myself that I can get it done,” Johansen said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do to keep playing at my best.”
There is one area where Johansen might need a little help. He celebrated that goal with a big fist pump. Asked if Johansen was imitating the coach’s celebration of a big goal earlier in the St. Louis series, Laviolette said he wasn’t sure.
“It wasn’t very good if it was,” Laviolette said.