Isles' Ross Johnston, re-inserted into the lineup, has good memories of Las Vegas
Ross Johnston of the Islanders skates during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Credit: Jim McIsaac
LAS VEGAS — Ross Johnston’s physical play is his first priority with the Islanders and a main reason he was inserted into the lineup for Saturday night’s 1-0 loss to the often-chippy Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
But Johnston also can chip in the odd goal — three this season for the 6-5, 235-pound wing to go with 78 penalty minutes after he fought Ryan Reaves off the game’s opening draw— which is why he always has fond memories of Las Vegas.
Johnston scored his first career goal in a 2-1 win here on Jan. 25, 2018, six days after he was recalled from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
“It was kind of chippy that game, a few things were said,” Johnston said. “I just basically threw a puck to the net. It was [Cody] Eakin’s stick it hit off through [Marc-Andre] Fleury’s five-hole. I didn’t know I scored right away, but it was pretty exciting when I was told. A whirlwind of emotions that week, but it brings back memories coming here.”
Johnston was in the lineup for the second time in four games but has not played consecutive games since Jan. 16-18.
“Yeah, it’s tough. Nobody’s going to tell you they don’t want to be in every game,” said Johnston, a healthy scratch in 27 of the Islanders’ 57 games. “I’d love to play every game. That being said, team success comes first.”
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Cole Bardreau was a healthy scratch after being a minus-1 in 12:46 of ice time in Thursday’s 5-0 loss at Nashville, his first game since being recalled from Bridgeport with Casey Cizikas (left leg laceration) out three to four weeks. “There are quite a few things I’d like to see him improve on, but the energy was good,” coach Barry Trotz said . . . Rookie forward Kieffer Bellows and defenseman Sebastian Aho also were healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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