The Predators can’t seem to catch a break with playoff injuries. Friday afternoon, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Ryan Johansen will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing emergency thigh surgery.
Johansen suffered the injury during the Predators’ Game Four overtime loss. He will be out of action for the next two or three months.
. @PredsNHL update on Ryan Johansen. pic.twitter.com/ulBxWpo8Rk
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 19, 2017
It’s unclear exactly when Johansen suffered the injury during the game, but there are two hits in particular that look suspicious.
With 4:40 left in the second period, Johansen collided with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson during a race for a puck.
Johansen had trouble getting back to the bench and favored his left leg. He would remain in the game.
A period later, Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm checked Johansen into the corner boards. Johansen was once again slow to get up.
Johansen somehow finished the game with over 27 minutes of ice time. He was on the ice for Filip Forsberg’s game-tying goal at 19:25 of the third period.
Losing Johansen is a big blow to the Predators’ cup chances. Johansen centered the Preds first line of Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson and had 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) during the playoffs.
Johansen joins teammate Kevin Fiala on injured reserve
5/20 Update: According to Jon Morosi of NHL Network and FOX Sports, Johansen was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome. Per The Score, that occurs when excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed muscle space in the body. It usually results from bleeding or swelling after an injury. It can be limb and life-threatening.
The treatment is scary.
@IliasSagitov @russianmachine @jonmorosi The muscles swell up but can't expand b.c of the skin. If not treated, you can lose the limb. Treatment is basically cutting the skin open.
— Jen Golbeck (@jengolbeck) May 20, 2017
Morosi says that Johansen, thankfully, is doing well and is expected to fully recover.
Ryan Johansen was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome, source says; team has not confirmed. He is expected to recover fully. @NHL
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 20, 2017
NHL.com reported that Johansen’s dog Doug visited him at the hospital after the surgery.
Photo: Frederick Breedon
