Tyler Johnson's star continues to emerge for Lightning in the playoffs
BRANDON, Fla. -- The underdog-turned-star sat within the afterglow of his dramatics, most eyes in the small dressing room turned toward him after his will gave the Tampa Bay Lightning renewed life.
Center Tyler Johnson, a face of the Lightning's growth from a fast 2014 postseason exit to their current focus to make these Stanley Cup Playoffs theirs, smiled as he revisited a night in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals that will be recalled for a long while if Tampa Bay advances far.
His two goals and one assist Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, after some were prepared to dump the first shovel of dirt on the Lightning's grave, served as a defibrillator to give them the jump necessary to storm back for a 3-2 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings, tying the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
How about playoff life, Mr. Johnson?
"It's the most fun," he said.
Johnson brought the fun back into this series for Tampa Bay. Without his goal 14:34 into the third period Thursday, then his assist on winger Ondrej Palat's score just 1:17 later and his dent in Detroit's net 2:25 into overtime, the Lightning would be skating for their lives Saturday night in Game 5 at Amalie Arena.
Instead, they'll work to apply more pressure.
Is there a more appropriate face for this turnaround?
Johnson is an embodiment of what the Lightning are trying to be in these Stanley Cup Playoffs: Grayer, more mature, better prepared because of the scars suffered in the Montreal Canadiens' sweep in this same round last year.
Last season, like his team, Johnson emerged as a surprise threat after the former undrafted free agent made a name for himself. Last season, like his team, Johnson was praised for his promise, with wonder about what future years might bring.
This time, Johnson and the Lightning are aiming higher. They should be. After all, talk of potential has a brief shelf life. A loss Thursday would have placed them in a precarious position with the series moving back to Florida. Criticism would have been justified after their underwhelming results in Detroit.
Instead, Johnson saved the Lightning for the moment by finding rare light past goaltender Petr Mrazek.
Did he save the season? The next week will show. But the underdog-turned-star, the 5-foot-8, 183-pound engine who could, once more showed why he does some of his best work with his back against a brick wall.
"It's still an adjustment of playing playoff hockey compared to the regular season," Johnson said. "Your battle, your will, has to be that much more. I think everyone is realizing that. That has to do with a lot of leadership on this team. A lot of the guys we brought in have that as well, and they have that experience. We're just kind of elevating our game. Everybody is. That's what you need to do.
"I've never really looked at the game as far as scoring points or anything like that. I think maybe it (the Game 4 production) helps the confidence a little bit. And hopefully, the team will get a little momentum from it, if we start rolling here. Now it's a best-of-three series. We have home-ice advantage. We worked hard for that. And now we just have to use it."
In reality, Johnson has elevated his game all year. He finished with 72 points in the regular season, tied for a team-high total with center Steven Stamkos. Johnson's 43 assists were second on the team to Palat's 47, and he was named to his first All-Star team in January. In the playoffs, Johnson paces Tampa Bay with four goals and five points.
Of course, this remains Stamkos' team, just as it has been all winter. The Captain is the Lightning's soul. Still, Johnson's heart beats with many of the same traits: He's gritty, respected, and he's a leader within a dynamic line that includes Palat and winger Nikita Kucherov. He will only ascend from here.
"Guys that rise to those occasions, if we all could do it, we'd be doing it," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "But there just seems to be guys that have that 'it' factor. You've got to look through his past, a kid who always gets kind of passed over. You think about the big players always have to play themselves off teams, and small players always have to play themselves on teams. And he's been fighting through that his whole life."
The fight has made Johnson stronger. The fight was taken to Detroit on Thursday in a big way, his way.
"He's a special player," Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop said. "Obviously, a special line. But everybody on this team has been stepping up, and he has been doing it all year. And obviously, he shows why he's an All-Star."
Johnson showed why he's still an underdog with bite, too.
Because of it, the Lightning have a reason to believe.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
