Predators center Ryan Johansen suffered a left thigh injury during game four of the Western Conference Final Thursday and will miss the remainder of the playoffs.
Johansen finished the game, logging his last shift just 2:00 before Corey Perry's game-winning goal in overtime for the Ducks. But he required emergency surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center following the game, according to a statement released by the Predators.
. @PredsNHL update on Ryan Johansen. pic.twitter.com/ulBxWpo8Rk
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 19, 2017
The loss is a big one for the Preds, who will now be without their top line center as the series shifts back to Anaheim Saturday night for game five tied 2-2.
Johansen is Nashville's leading scorer in the playoffs with 13 points, including three goals and 10 assists. He has four points through four games in this series, while centering a line with Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson that has become one of the most potent units in the league.
The loss of Johansen could be amplified by the fact the Predators' second line center, captain Mike Fisher, left game four with an undisclosed injury and is considered questionable for game five.
If Fisher is also unable to play, the Preds will only have three true centers on their active roster in Calle Jarnkrok, Colton Sissons and Vernon Fiddler, though Colin Wilson has played center at times in his career.
Regardless of Fisher's status, expect some significant line shake ups for the Preds in a pivotal game five.
