Predators face Ducks in Game 5 without star C Ryan Johansen
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Nashville Predators already face a daunting challenge when they attempt to take control of the Western Conference finals in a pivotal Game 5 on the road.
Without Ryan Johansen, that task is immeasurably tougher.
The star Nashville centre will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs after emergency surgery on a left thigh injury, abruptly leaving the Predators without their leading scorer when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.
The Predators announced the injury Friday after the rest of the club travelled to Anaheim. Johansen was hurt at an unspecified point in the Ducks’ 3-2 overtime victory Thursday in Game 4, which evened a tense, physical series .