This time, it was an Islanders’ teammate sticking up for mammoth Ross Johnston.
Sabres defenseman Marco Scandella drove the 6-5, 235 left wing, who coach Barry Trotz had on Mathew Barzal’s top line with Josh Bailey for the fifth straight game, into the side boards at 18:22 of the first period of the Islanders’ 3-2 overtime win on Saturday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum.
A shaken Johnston remained on his knees while Bailey confronted Scandella, earning a double-minor for roughing.
“I haven’t actually seen the video,” said Johnston, who leads the team with 35 penalty minutes and three fighting majors.