Predators' Ryan Johansen: Sustains thigh injury, out for playoffs

Johansen suffered a left thigh injury during Thursday's Game 4 loss to the Ducks that required emergency surgery to repair. The expected recovery time is 2-to-3 months, indicating that he will miss the remainder of the playoffs.

Analysis:

There is no underestimating how big a blow this is to a Nashville squad that has made it farther into the playoffs than any iteration of the team in franchise history. Johansen is currently the team leader in points (13) and assists (10) during the playoffs, so replacing the 24-year-old's offensive production will be the first challenge facing the Predators' forward corps. Johansen had also become something of an emotional leader for the team too, as his feud with the Ducks' Ryan Kesler was a point of emphasis during these conference finals. Captain Mike Fisher (undisclosed) will have to step up big time assuming he is cleared to play soon.