Johnson Tebows after goal vs. Caps

Published Jan. 10, 2012 6:39 a.m. ET

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When you're a member of the offensively challenged Los Angeles Kings, and every goal is a cause for celebration, why not have a little bit of fun in a runaway 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals?

Apparently defenseman Jack Johnson agrees.

After pinching in on one of the Kings' many odd-man rushes Monday, he took a feed from forward Kyle Clifford, snapped it between Tomas Vokoun's legs, and then followed through on a previous agreement made with friends.

"Have some fun while you're scoring," Johnson said after the game. "I was watching the Broncos game with some buddies that flew in from Michigan and they said that if you score, you have to 'Tebow'. I said, 'You're on!'"

Johnson even tweeted Tuesday, explaining why he did the "move."

Add Johnson to Dwight Howard, Lindsey Vonn and a ton of football players as athletes who have imitated the bow of reverence popularized by the polarizing football player.
 
Speaking of polarization, there were also some of those in a red, white and blue sweater that were of the dissenting view — that maybe Tebowing should best be left for the more instinctually festive celebrations of the NFL, and that it shows some disrespect for your opponent in hockey.

"I understand he's just trying to be funny, but still it's kind of a stupid celebration," Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner told the Washington Times. "It's like those teams in the world juniors riding their stick giving high-fives across the bench."

We're giving Johnson a pass.

The Kings had lost 1-0 to Columbus at home on Saturday, the third 1-0 game they'd played in over the last two weeks. With the NHL's worst offensive output at 2.1 goals per game, along with a stifling defense and excellent goaltending from Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier, their offensive rhythm won't exactly be confused with 1980s Smythe-Division hockey that used to be played at The Forum.

"It's a great feeling to give our goalie some breathing room finally," Johnson said. "They've been playing out of this world all year. It's nice to kind of give them a break here finally."

Kings head coach Darryl Sutter, who tends to a cattle ranch back on his Viking, Alberta homestead, finally received his first Hollywood moment as Los Angeles' coach: You've got to win, and you've got to entertain.

"If we could all play like Tebow in a big game, we wouldn't have lost a game yet," Sutter said.

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