The Columbus Blue Jackets are boosted by several prolific high-scoring talents.
One of those is winger Kent Johnson.
In parts of four NHL seasons, the 22-year-old is enjoying a career year as he's back and healthy following an injury-shortened season a year ago.
Nearly one calendar year ago, Johnson's turbulent 2023-24 campaign came to an early close after suffering a labrum tear in his left shoulder in the closing seconds of a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Johnson's season got off to a bumpy start under one-and-done head coach Pascal Vincent as the forward was healthy scratched for their season opener. Then Johnson was sent down to the AHL in early November, where he scored 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 10 games before coming back to the NHL in early December.
The statistical numbers for Johnson were off. He didn't quite resemble the guy who scored 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) a season prior and then the injury sealed his season.
Turn The Page
When the Jackets finally finished an ugly season and made wholesale changes from the front office to the coaching staff, including bringing in veteran head coach Dean Evason, the franchise turned the page and Johnson has as well.
Since training camp, we've heard Evason compliment Johnson and his game in various ways, giving him perhaps the ultimate compliment of being a "rink rat."
I heard prior to coming here what a rink rat he was.– Dean Evason
"What we really liked about him this camp is the pace that he's playing the game at. He's got tremendous stick skills obviously. He's playing the game at a fast pace."
This season, Johnson has displayed the offensive fireworks.
In 43 games, he has 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists), having already set career highs in goals, and is going to blow by his career bests in assists and points. Johnson's 19 goals place him tied for second on the club with Dmitri Voronkov as they trail Kirill Marchenko (21).
He got off to a good start with Saturday's two-goal game in the 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, which gave him three goals in his last two games. He has 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 10 of his last 11 games.
#CBJ are up 1-0 after the opening period thanks to this Kent Johnson goal, his 18th of the season. Cole Sillinger gets the primary assist (his 19th), with Zach Werenski extending his home point streak to 22 games on the other assist, his 43rd.pic.twitter.com/Rrv1WLsmkG
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 23, 2025
Here's KJ's second of the night (with anotheeeerrrrr assist from Z) that extended the #CBJ lead to 2-0. Chicago had fought back to make it a one-goal game in the middle of the second. pic.twitter.com/nbtTetsUPT
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 23, 2025
Kent Johnson now up to 2nd in 5v5 goals scored/60 this season behind just Tage. Spent so much time talking about Marchenko and Werenski but he's having a monster season too
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) February 23, 2025
After Alex Ovechkin's hat trick in Sunday afternoon's 7-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers, Ovechkin is now second but Johnson is third and still in great company.
Inspired by @DimFilipovic's tweet last night.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 23, 2025
Goals per 60 minutes this year at 5x5 in the NHL:
1. Tage Thompson (1.91)
2. Alex Ovechkin (1.67)
3. Kent Johnson (1.57)#CBJ
Johnson and the Blue Jackets are back at it on Tuesday when they play the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena.
