Johnson gets offensive in playoffs
PITTSBURGH — Jack Johnson can’t explain it. He probably never will.
The Blue Jackets defenseman certainly wouldn’t mind, however, if people keep asking him the question for seasons to come.
How is Johnson, a solid but not spectacular offensive talent, nearly a point per game player in the postseason?
No active NHL defenseman has a higher points average (0.95) with at least 20 playoff games of experience. Not Erik Karlsson (0.72) or Duncan Keith (0.65) or Drew Doughty (0.63). In fact, Johnson is the only blue liner among the league’s active top 10 in the category.
He added to his sum on Tuesday night, scoring the game’s first goal in the Blue Jackets’ 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of an opening-round series. The Jackets, who trail 3-1 in the series, play tonight at PPG Paints Arena. 2009-10 2010-11 2013-14 2016-17 Los Angeles Los Angeles Columbus Columbus
Johnson has collected 267 points in 711 regular-season games, a 0.38 average. Those are decent numbers, but Johnson thrives in the intense postseason environment, where scoring totals often decrease.
“Playoff hockey is not like regular-season hockey,” said Johnson, who has five goals and 16 assists in 22 games. “It’s a style of game I’d like to think (has) suited me more. But I don’t have a good reason (for the scoring average).”
Johnson certainly savors the postseason opportunities, which have been infrequent during his 11-year career with the Los Angeles Kings and Blue Jackets. He has yet to win a round in four trips, but Johnson hardly has been at fault.
The defenseman was an offensive and physical force in the Jackets’ 4-2 series loss to the Penguins in 2014.
He has accepted a more defensive role this season, working alongside David Savard to form the Blue Jackets’ shutdown pair that has been used often in the series against the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lines.
With rookie standout Zach Werenski lost for the remainder of the playoffs because of a facial fracture, however, the Blue Jackets have turned to Johnson to run the secondpower play unit.
John Tortorella, coaching Johnson in the postseason for the first time, senses the poise and purpose in his game.
“Jack is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached,” Tortorella said. “He isn’t afraid of the situation. There are some big-game players on a big stage who are just not nervous and maybe go the other way — feel more comfortable. I haven’t coached Jack all those years, but you know he’s going to be ready.
“I just think it’s within him. He’s a crusty pro. He thinks differently than a lot of players coming into the league. He’s a little old school. I think he gets it.”
Johnson demonstrated his veteran savvy on his Game 4 goal. With no clear shot on goal from the right circle, he sent the puck into a cluster of players in front of the net looking for a favorable carom. The puck bounced off the skate of Crosby, his former prep teammate, and into the net.
“I was looking for a good bounce and I got it,” Johnson said.