Because Ryan Johansen has been an integral part of the Nashville Predators this last year, it’s sometimes hard to remember that last December he was languishing in the doghouse of John Tortorella and was the general scapegoat of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Today, he returns to Nationwide Arena dressed in gold.
The Blue Jackets have shrugged off a run of mediocre play and ride a three-game winning streak into tonight’s match. Seth Jones has been phenomenal during the current stretch, highlighted by a terrific pass to Brandon Dubinsky for an overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.