Mike Johnson

Now, Columbus is an incredible heater.

All-time great, great heater.

But if Allmark was on top, you look at the underlying defensive numbers for Ottawa, they're like a top-five defensive team.

They don't give you much, and you get into a series with those guys, and they grind you down.

Sanderson's got to be healthy, and Brady Kachuk's got to get fully healthy.

Take nothing away from Columbus.

Columbus is on a great heater right now, but I would almost fear a team whose absolute ceiling would be higher, and I do think Ottawa's might be.

Now, having said that, do I want to play a team that's lost three times in 30 games?

I don't think so.

But that means you don't want to play Buffalo.

That means you don't want to play Columbus.

There's a couple teams in the East that will be like that.

That will be red hot heading in.

But I'm so happy for Rick Bonas.

I am very publicly one of his biggest supporters, one of my favorite people I've ever had a chance to play for.

So I'm happy that he's been able to have that kind of impact.

But

Again, it's a lot like Buffalo guys.

Like what did Columbus do that?

They changed the coach, but like the players are the same.