Ryan Johansen might be the one player the Predators couldn't lose

The Nashville Predators are about to face the most adversity of the 2017 playoffs with center Ryan Johansen done because of a thigh injury.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were already headed in the wrong direction in the first round when defenseman Zach Werenski was ruled out for the playoffs because of facial fractures. The Pittsburgh Penguins are deep enough to overcome almost anything. Even when Sidney Crosby was missed a game, the Penguins had a backup superstar in Evgeni Malkin.

But outside of Ottawa's Erik Karlsson, no player could mean as much to a playoff series than Johansen.

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The story isn’t about what the Predators will lose in Johansen’s absence. The story is about what the Anaheim Ducks gain in Johansen's absence. Even with him, the Predators-Anaheim Ducks Western Conference final is tied 2-2.

The Ducks now have top centers who can concentrate on offense again. Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler gain freedom. You can be sure that Ducks coach Randy Carlyle will let his top players be more aggressive when they play Game 5 in Anaheim (7:15 p.m. ET, NBC).

Getzlaf and Kesler were beastly performers -- 22 points combined -- in the first two rounds. But both of them have had to spend considerable time trying to lessen the impact of Johansen, who leads Nashville with 13 points and is a key to their top line.

Kesler has one point in four games against Nashville, and Getzlaf has been left off the scoresheet in three of the four games.

Their decreased offensive output undoubtedly has been heavily influenced by their matchups against Johansen, who has tilted the ice in this series. Against Kesler specifically, Johansen has been on the ice for 37 shots for at even strength, compared to 21 against, according to naturalstattrick.com. Johansen's Predators have outscored Kesler 3-2. Against Getzlaf, Johansen has won the shot-attempt battle 30-20 and the Predators have outscored the Ducks 2-0.

It’s much more difficult to get on the scoreboard when your primary mission is shutting down the center across from you, especially when that center is spending most of the time in your zone.

The Predators simply don’t boast another center who can prompt the same level of defensive worry.

With 48 playoff games decided by a single goal, this year’s postseason is on a pace to become the most competitive in league history.

So don't be surprised if goalie Pekka Rinne and Nashville’s impressive defense help their team overcome the loss of their No. 1 center. We've seen examples of teams overcoming injury adversity all spring, particularly with the Penguins who have missed important pieces throughout.

If you are the Ducks, you are envisioning Getzlaf and Kesler becoming more dominant again in the offensive end.

But all we know for sure is how both teams react to Johansen’s loss will determine the outcome of this deadlocked series.