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Ross Johnston skates his way onto Islanders' top line

Islanders left wing Ross Johnston celebrates with the bench after his goal against the Lightning during the second period on Monday in Tampa, Fla. Credit: AP/Chris O'Meara

SUNRISE, Fla. — Ross Johnston knows it’s easy to look at his 6-5, 235-pound frame and have some preconceived notions of what kind of player he is.

“When you see a bigger guy on paper coming into the league, the picture is already kind of painted before it starts,” Johnston said after the Islanders’ brisk, 35-minute practice on Wednesday at BB&T Center that emphasized breakouts, battle drills and hard skating.