Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch once again
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Johnston was a healthy scratch as the Islanders defeated the Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday.
Johnston had played in five of the previous six games before Saturday. He had no points and 23 PIM in those five games. Johnston has only two assists in 16 games this season and is only used when the team needs a physical presence. In his last game, Johnston wasn't afraid to drop the gloves with Ryan Reaves of the Wild, one of the best fighters in the NHL. That bout did not go well for Johnston, who was lucky that his face shield stopped a couple of fists from landing on their intended target.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Getting a chance to play
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Johnston was in the lineup for the third straight game Wednesday.
Johnston was a healthy scratch for 10 straight and 15 of his last 17 games before a rash of injuries forced the team to insert him back into the lineup. How long Johnston will stay in the lineup likely depends on how quickly any of the current five regular forwards out due to injury get back into the lineup. Johnston only has two assists in 13 games this season. However, he is a physical presence and isn't afraid to stick up for teammates and be an enforcer on the ice.
Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch for seven straight
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Johnston was a healthy scratch in a 6-5 loss to the Canucks on Thursday.
This is not a surprise, as Johnston has been benched for seven straight and 12 of 14. Johnston has only played in 11 games this season, which is somewhat surprising when you consider all of the injuries the team has suffered to the forward corps.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Back to the bench
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Johnston has been a healthy scratch for the past two games.
The Islanders, who are struggling mightily, gave Johnston a couple of games to see if he could spark the team. In those games versus the Sabres and Hurricanes, Johnston didn't register a point and only had two hits. He's not the problem with the team, but he's certainly not the solution. The Islanders have lost six straight games. They are 1-7-3 in their last 11 games.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch once again
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Johnston was a healthy scratch for the third straight game Saturday against the Canadiens.
Johnston has become an afterthought for the team this season. Even with all of the injuries the Islanders have suffered to their forwards, Johnston rarely gets into the lineup. Johnston only plays when coach Lane Lambert believes it will be a physical game, and those opportunities are scarce in today's NHL.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Hands out assist
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Johnston produced an assist, six hits and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Canucks.
This was Johnston's third straight appearance -- injuries to a handful of forwards have opened up a spot in the lineup for the physical winger. The assist was his second point in eight outings this season, and he's added a mere two shots on net with 19 hits, five blocked, 14 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through eight appearances. Even if he were an everyday player, there's not enough offense in his game to warrant a look in fantasy.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
Johnston was on the ice for 10:32 in the 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Johnston had been a healthy scratch for 12 straight games and 17 of 18 before Thursday. It would seem the only reason that Johnston played Thursday was because the team ran out of healthy forwards and didn't want to recall any other players from the AHL. Whether or not Johnston plays Saturday in Seattle likely will depend upon whether one of those currently injured forwards will be healthy enough to join the lineup.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch for nine straight
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Johnston has been a healthy scratch for nine straight games and 14 of his last 15 contests.
The most concerning part about all these benchings is that Johnston can't get in the lineup even though the Islanders have been hit hard with injuries to their forward group. Cal Clutterbuck and Kyle Palmieri are on injured reserve with upper-body injuries, and Anthony Beauvillier just returned from an injury of his own. If Johnston can't break into the lineup under these circumstances, when will he play? The answer to that seems to be only when coach Lane Lambert believes the team needs his physical presence to be a detriment to opposing players taking any runs at someone like Mathew Barzal. The problem is that it seems to be a rarity. Johnston is truly a player playing in the wrong era.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch once again
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Johnston was a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game Tuesday versus the Bruins, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
It's also the 11th of the past 12 games that Johnston has been a healthy scratch. Keep in mind the Islanders are down two forwards with Kyle Palmieri (upper body) and Anthony Beauvillier (shoulder) out due to injury, yet Johnston still can't crack the lineup.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: In the press box
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Johnston was a healthy scratch versus the Predators on Friday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
The Islanders are without a pair of forwards, as both Kyle Palmieri and Cal Clutterbuck are dealing with upper-body injuries. Those injuries, however, did not automatically mean Johnston would be added to the lineup. The Islanders still prefer to only use Johnston when they feel his physical presence will be needed. Johnston next will get a chance to play Sunday versus the Blackhawks.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch Wednesday
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Johnston was a healthy scratch Wednesday versus the Oilers, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
While Johnston being a healthy scratch is not new, the Islanders recalling Simon Holmstrom in the wake of Kyle Palmieri's upper-body injury is. Johnston was the only extra forward for the team prior to Wednesday, which could've made one think that he would be first in line to play should someone suffer an injury or need a day off for any reason. Apparently, that is not the case. The Isles still prefer to have a skilled player in the lineup but were waiting to recall someone from the AHL until they had to. Johnston is still only likely to crack the lineup when coach Lane Lambert feels the need for his physical presence.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Healthy scratch for four straight
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Johnston was in the press box for the fourth straight game Tuesday versus the Rangers.
Some thought that Johnston could draw into the lineup because Cal Clutterbuck (undisclosed) was forced to miss the game. Alas, the Isles decided to go with skill over brawn and went with Nikita Soshnikov instead. It is not known if Clutterbuck will be able to play Thursday versus the Coyotes, nor is it known if Johnston will get a chance to play if Clutterbuck can't.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Not seeing game action
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In one game this season, Johnston has two PIM, a rating of minus-1 and has yet to register a point.
Johnston has never played more than 32 games in a season, and if his usage in the early going of this year continues, then he will be unlikely to reach that total again.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Not expected to Thursday
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Johnston is not expected to play when the Islanders open their season Thursday versus the Panthers, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
As in past seasons, Johnston will only draw into the lineup when the Islanders have injury issues or if they believe they need his physical presence in the lineup. The next chance for Johnston to get into game action will be Saturday against the Ducks.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Career-high point total
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Johnston had two goals, seven points and 44 penalty minutes in 32 games for the Islanders this past season.
Johnston never truly got a chance to play every day, even with the season-ending shoulder injury to Cal Clutterbuck. Last October, Johnston signed a four-year $4.4 million contract with the Islanders, so he will be back with the team next season, but his role likely will be the same. He will play when his physicality is deemed needed by coach Lane Lambert or when injuries arise for the team.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Won't return for season finale
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Johnston (illness) won't be in the lineup for Friday's regular-season finale against the Lightning, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Johnston will finish the season with seven points and 90 hits through 32 contests. The 28-year-old winger will likely post similar numbers in 2022-23.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Late scratch Thursday
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Johnston (illness) was scratched from Thursday's game versus the Capitals, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Johnston caught the stomach bug that's been making its way through the Islanders' locker room. The 28-year-old should be considered questionable at best for Friday's game against the Lightning. If he doesn't play, he ends 2021-22 with seven points, 90 hits and 44 PIM in 32 contests.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Scoreless in seven straight
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Johnston has been held without a goal or an assist in his last seven games.
On Sunday, the Islanders were officially eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Maple Leafs. Johnston's role with the team next season is far from crystal clear, as Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck will also likely return to the team. This likely means that Johnston will be an extra forward more often than not once again.
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Islanders' Ross Johnston: Ties career high
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Johnston tied his career high in points for a season with an assist as the Islanders defeated the Rangers 3-0 on Friday.
Johnston only has one goal and five assists on the season in 20 games. The Islanders did sign him to a four-year, $4.4 million extension before the season because they value him as someone who can do more than just push an opponent into submission. The problem is that with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck signed for next season, Johnston's playing time might not increase dramatically.
