The Horse: Erik Johnson logging major minutes, but holding up

Erik Johnson’s career average for ice time per game, entering this season, was a little more than 21 minutes a night. After Tuesday night’s game, he was averaging more than 26 minutes a night. That isn’t often the case for guys as they get older, and people might forget Johnson has been in the league 11 years now.

Johnson, 29, logged another game-high in minutes for the Avs in their 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars, which snapped a three-game losing streak. He played 27 minutes, 41 seconds of sound defensive hockey, 38 shifts overall, finishing plus-2. Entering Tuesday, Johnson was ranked sixth in NHL ice time, at 26:05 a game.

The worry: Is this too much? Can the Minnesota native keep up this kind of pace, or will he wear down and get hurt – something that has been an issue at times in his career?

“I like it,” Johnson said after the game. “I have to sacrifice a little bit on the offensive side, but the only points I care about are the two at the end of the night.”

Indeed, Johnson has just one point on the season, an assist. Yeah, Jared Bednar probably would like a few more than that, from a guy with as much offensive skill as he has. But as long as he keeps playing the way he has at the defensive end, he won’t be unhappy. And the fact is, Johnson has played at an all-star level so far.

“If I have to sacrifice a little of my offensive game, so be it. I’m super happy with my game right now,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t be going out there 27 a night if the coaches weren’t happy with it either. You just accept your role. It’s kind of a new challenge for me, and I had to be ready for it. In the offseason, they mentioned I’d be playing a lot, and it’s fine. Every time you get out there, you reset really quick; Bad shift, good shift – you’re right out there again. I like being out there as much as I can.”

Johnson admits to worrying too much in the past, about any bad shift or any other tough moment.

“I remember when I first got to (Colorado), I’d have one bad game and feel like the world was ending,” he said. “It’s such a game of ebbs and flows. You’re going to have a great game, you’re going to have a poor game. It’s about resetting, and going back out there and doing the best you can when you get your number called.”

People also might forget: The Avs were a .500 team when Johnson went down to injury last year. We know how the rest of the season went for the team. The fact is, he is arguably the most important player on the club right now.

“We’re taking baby steps. Compared to where we were last year…but we’re not satisfied. We’ll get back to work tomorrow and focus on the next one,” he said.

TOP 10 NHL ICE TIME LEADERS (Entering Tuesday)