The Philadelphia Flyers are in town to face the Blue Jackets tonight and Ryan Johansen will be in the home team’s lineup come puck drop.
By all accounts, the 23-year-old center is expecting to come out with his best effort tonight after being a healthy scratch in Thursday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes.
“I see myself as a big part of this team and someone who can be a difference maker,” Johansen said. “For me, (tonight) is a big opportunity for myself to help this team. I know what I have to do, I have to respond.”
Scott Hartnell, who was a healthy scratch on Dec 4, also returned to the lineup in a game against Philadelphia and promptly put up three points – one goal and two assists.
Hartnell said he didn’t have to say much to Johansen about the experience of being removed from the lineup by head coach John Tortorella. But the former Flyer said he did see it as a wake up call when it happened to him, and expects Johansen to view it as the same.
“Joey’s been playing for five years now, he knows what makes him successful, what makes him the best player on our team,” Hartnell said. “He needs to be hard defensively, create more room offensively on the rush. He’s got a big body and a great stick to protect pucks and make plays. I expect nothing less than him being his best tonight.”
Tortorella echos that sentiment. While some have speculated on Johansen’s status with the club, Tortorella has referred to the scratch as part of the process for someone the coach calls “a very important piece of the puzzle (in Columbus).”
“We felt there were some bad habits happening within his game,” Tortorella said. “We felt that it was time to stop him, reset him and I’m sure he’ll be ready to play tonight.”
In addition to Johansen drawing back in, there are some other Jackets who have been out of game play who are nearing return.
Forward Rene Borque skated with the team today and defenseman Cody Goloubef (jaw) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (lower body) both joined for part of the morning skate.
None of those players will play tonight, however. And David Savard joins that list. Tortorella said that he was out and Jack Johnson is questionable. Neither played in the 7-5 win in Arizona.
While playing without a healthy roster isn’t ideal, there is something the team hopes carries over from the scoring fest Arizona. The Jackets seven goals came from seven different players, and ten players in total had points on the night.
Matt Calvert scored on his only shot of the night. Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg both scored and only took two shots on goal.
That performance bolstered the team’s shooting percentage – an area where they have struggled all season – to 8.5%, putting them at 20th in the league.
“We’ve had numerous chances in games prior and not been able to find the back of the net but it was addressed, we talked about it,” Hartnell said about the flurry of goals that came Thursday.
“It’s there, we know it’s there and we’ve just got to continue getting pucks to the net and it’s big hockey club we’re playing tonight. We’ve got to bring our best.”
Joonas Korpisalo will be back in net for his third NHL start as the Jackets seek to better their record at home. The team is currently 4-8-3 at Nationwide Arena, a record Tortorella succinctly assessed by saying “it sucks.”
“We have to be better (at home),” Tortorella said. “I think tonight the most important thing is our start. After a long travel day and a lot of games in a number of days and not a lot of practice time, we’ve got to figure out some way mentally to get ourselves ready. Philly will be ready.”
QUICKLY:
- Tortorella mentioned Clarkson’s play – said he thinks the forward has played well the past few games since returning from a back injury
- The head coach on who will start in net, “the young kid.”
- Johansen on the point spree that happened Thursday: “When you see guys having success you’re almost a little jealous you want to be on the scoresheet as well.”
- Here’s the full quote from Johansen when asked about his future and any impact of the scratch:
“I’m a Columbus Blue Jacket, I’ve already said many times. I love being here and I want to be a part of this team. We’ve got a lot of games left and we’re trying to make the playoffs.
I see myself as a big part of this team and someone who can be a difference maker. For me, it’s a big opportunity for myself to help this team.” - And on if the situation impacts his performance: “If I make mistakes, that’s hockey. But if I keep making mistakes over and over then that’s when it becomes an issue.”
- UPDATE: David Savard has been placed on IR and is expected to miss four weeks due to an ankle injury.
- UPDATE: Rene Bourque was activated off IR
LINEUP (updated per BlueJackets.com)
Jenner – Johansen – Foligno
Hartnell – Wennberg – Saad
Calvert – Dubinsky – Atkinson
Campbell – Karlsson – Clarkson
Murray – Tyutin
Connauton – Prout
Falk – Bodnarchuk
Korpisalo
Injured: Johnson, Goloubef, Bobrovsky, Hannikainen, Savard
Scratched: Boll, Bourque
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