For part of our preview of the Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets series, we profile a couple of important but perhaps lesser known players that may be the difference between winning and losing.
Name: Ryan Johansen
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 203 lb.
Born: July 31, 1992 (21 years old)
Drafted: 1st Round (4th overall), 2010
2013-14 stat line: 82 games played, 33 goals, 30 assists, 43 penalty minutes, +3 (+/-)
2013-14 stats vs Penguins: 5 GP, 1G, 1A, 0 PIM, -4 (+/-)
2013-14 5v5 Advanced Stats: 50.6 CF%, +0.9% Corsi Relative, 100.4 PDO
Player detail (via The Hockey News Player Page)
| Assets: | Owns great size at 6-3, 203 pounds, which all NHL teams love from the center position. Has excellent offensive instincts, to go along with sound defensive acumen. |
| Flaws: | Could stand to play a more aggressive game, especially because of his size advantage. Must improve his decision-making with and without the puck. |
| Career Potential: | Big, talented all-round center with good upside. |
2013-14 Blue Jackets player usage, via Extra Skater
Analysis: Possession numbers are good for a young player on an above-average possession team, especially considering that he is facing top competition amongst players on his team. Seems like Johansen at 1C will be a mainstay in Columbus for a long time to come. He has stepped up big down the stretch this year for Columbus in their playoff push.
Most common linemates: Spent a significant part of the year playing with Nick Foligno and R.J. Umberger, but with both players injured at the moment, Johansen has been playing with Boone Jenner and Blake Comeau on his wings. Johansen and Jenner together bring a lot of speed and young legs that could give the Penguins fits if they are not careful. This kind of young line reminds of the Islanders speed last spring.
Why you should know who he is: Playing 82 games as a first line center at 21 years old is pretty impressive in the current NHL. Scoring 30 goals is quite impressive as well. The Blue Jackets top two lines, with players like Johansen, Cam Atkinson, Boone Jenner, and company will have their hands full with the likes of Crosby, Kunitz, Neal, and (maybe) Malkin and will be an integral part of trying to make it a series.
How the Pens can stop him: Pittsburgh essentially shut down the Johansen line this season, holding him to 1 goal in five games. if and Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin matchup with the #1 line as they have in the past, and they can simply limit their time and space and maintain their gap control, it's not unreasonable to imagine Columbus' 2nd/3rd lines feeling more pressure to get the puck in the net.