Jonas Johansson Returns to Lightning After Knee Procedure
In the days following his Jan. 28 start against Chicago, Lightning backup goaltender Jonas Johansson started feeling pain in his knee during a practice. He previously had a clicking feeling in the joint, but when the discomfort surfaced, he worried something might be wrong.
Recovery and Return
A month later, Johansson is back with the team after a procedure to repair his meniscus, ending weeks of the Lightning juggling their No. 2 position behind Andrei Vasilevskiy with AHL Syracuse goaltenders. Johansson has been skating on his own rehabbing the knee, and Thursday’s home game against Calgary marks his return as the Lightning backup since last month.
Challenges and Confidence
“At the beginning, it was kind of hard,” Johansson said. “I didn’t know how serious it would be. It could have been much worse. It could have been months. So I guess I got a little lucky, and the doctor did a good job. So it was only a few weeks. So I think that was the biggest challenge in the beginning, to know how long I was going to be out for.”
Next Steps
Johansson returns just in time for the Lightning’s upcoming back-to-back games, with him likely making his next start at home against Columbus. The 4 Nations break provided him with much-needed time to recover, and he continued rehab work five days a week.
On Ice Testing
Johansson mentioned that returning as a skater might have been quicker, but as a goaltender, he needed to test his knee in different ways. Working on the ice was crucial for his recovery process.
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Conclusion
Jonas Johansson’s successful return to the Lightning lineup showcases his resilience and dedication to recovery. His presence will be crucial in upcoming games as the team looks to maintain their competitive edge.
FAQs
Q: When did Jonas Johansson start feeling pain in his knee?
A: He started feeling pain after his Jan. 28 start against Chicago.
Q: How did Johansson describe his recovery process?
A: Johansson mentioned that working on the ice as a goaltender required testing his knee in different ways, leading to a longer recovery process compared to a skater.
