Ryan Johansen speared Erik Gudbranson, earning a major penalty and a game misconduct Saturday night versus Vancouver.
As the regular season winds down, Nashville’s top center could be looking at a suspension for his spear late in the game versus the Vancouver Canucks. After a board battle near the corner, Johansen speared Gudbranson between the legs. The Department of Player Safety has been anything but predictable this season, but a suspension is likely for Johansen because of the incident.
Ryan Johansen is done for the night. Given a major for spearing and a game misconduct. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/G6KBSzAZrr
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) March 3, 2018
The league has set a precedent for incidents like this. Just last season Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand got suspended for a similar play. Marchand had to miss the next two games of the season. Marchand has a longer history of foul play, but Johansen will likely face the same suspension. If Johansen gets suspended for two games, he would miss a game against Colorado on Sunday and Central division rival Dallas on Tuesday.
BREAKING: Brad Marchand suspended two games for spearing Jake Dotchin #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/xYsO7GHywt
— Binge Sports (@BingeSports) April 6, 2017
Johansen has had a great season for the Predators so far picking up 41 points in 61 games centering the top line. He’s an important piece of their offense as they look to take the next step and win the Stanley Cup. In the short-term, this suspension will not hurt the Predators too much. They carry great depth down the center with Kyle Turris, Nick Bonino and Mike Fisher, who is fresh from coming out of retirement. There’s also a comfortable cushion for the Predators at the top of the standings. They’re now ahead of the Winnipeg Jets by six points.
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This could hurt Nashville is in the long-term, however. As the season rolls on and playoff start Johansen will be watched even closer. If he’s caught in another incident he will be marked as a “repeat offender,” this often means longer suspensions. In the playoffs where depth is everything, Nashville can’t afford to have their top player missing games due to suspension. Johansen will have to clean it up and stay trouble-free for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
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