Nashville Predators: Top 3 key players who must step up against Coyotes

2. Ryan Johansen

Ryan Johansen had his least productive season since joining the Predators, posting 36 points in 68 games. That’s also the third-lowest total of his career and his lowest since the 2012-13 season, when he had 40 points in 12 games.

Furthermore, according to Evolving Hockey, he was their second-least valuable forward, as only Austin Watson had a lower WAR (wins above replacement) than him this season. That includes players like Mathieu Olivier, who only played 8 games, and Miikka Salomaki, who only played 5 games.

Johansen didn’t drive play either, as he was barely above average in terms of relative shot attempts for per hour and relative expected goals for per hour, both at 5v5. He was below average there among the Preds forwards. The Predators are paying him quite a pretty penny and they were expecting more from him.

Whatever plagued Johansen this season, the Predators are hoping the hiatus proves to be a good thing for him. Maybe it was a nagging injury. Whatever it was, the Preds need Johansen to be at his best against the Coyotes. The Coyotes struggle to create offense, which makes someone like Johansen especially important. If he can get back to his usual self, the Predators will be in pretty good shape.