After 'roller-coaster' regular season, confident Tyler Johnson taking charge of the Bolts

— -- Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson has reasserted himself as the Red Wings' nemesis with six points in three games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

He chatted with ESPN.com about adjusting to the spotlight, staying confident, the loss of Steven Stamkos, and his battle with Red Wings forward Luke Glendening.

ESPN.com: You've emerged as the player the Red Wings have identified as most important to shutting down in this series. Are you comfortable with this spotlight?

Johnson: I don't know. I don't look at it like that. It's a team game. I've been very fortunate that my line has been playing well and everyone is contributing and steps up.

ESPN.com: When you had this kind of success in the first round last year, how much did it power your confidence moving forward the rest of the postseason?

Johnson: It helps. Confidence is a funny thing. It's easy to lose but hard to gain. Once you get that confidence, it definitely makes you feel a lot better. You start making some plays you know you can make, but maybe you're hesitant if you don't have that confidence.

ESPN.com: We hear that a lot, but what are some areas where confidence translates onto the ice?

Johnson: I think you can see it in just about everyone's game when they have confidence. If you look at the best goal scorer in the league -- let's say Alex Ovechkin -- he scores in bunches. When you get the first goal, you get that confidence and you're feeling good about yourself. It's easier to get that second goal than it was the first. It drives you, knowing you're doing the right things.

ESPN.com: This wasn't an easy regular season for you. Did that confidence come and go?

Johnson: It was definitely difficult. There were a lot of times where it was like a roller-coaster ride -- a lot of highs, a lot of lows. It's tough to play a season like that. I tried to stay even-keeled and remain confident. With the leadership we have, we're able to instill confidence in each other.

ESPN.com: Where were you when you found out that Stamkos would miss this series with his injury?

Johnson: It was actually April 1, April Fools' Day, at our practice rink. [ Brian Boyle] asked if I heard the news. I thought he was playing an April Fools' joke. I had no idea. I realized [Stamkos] wasn't at the rink. Other guys were talking about it. I was like, 'There's no way this is an April Fools' joke. It would be too elaborate.'

ESPN.com: Has Stamkos been around? What kind of presence has he had?

Johnson: He's been around. Guys visited him in the hospital, and have seen him. He's been home for a little bit. He came to the rink for Game 1 and Game 2. He's always sending text messages in our group chats and stuff like that. You can tell it's definitely killing him that he's not on the ice. He wants to be with us. He wants to be playing. Hopefully we can get him back.

ESPN.com: I've seen Anton Stralman walking around here like it's nothing. How closely are you monitoring his recovery?

Johnson: He's a character. Just having him around, seeing that he's progressed and he's getting better, is awesome. Just last week, he was in a walking boot and crutches, and now he's pretty much walking fine. Hopefully he keeps on progressing. I can't wait until he returns. He's a big part of our team.

ESPN.com: After your Game 3 loss, [Tampa Bay coach] Jon Cooper said he didn't see the necessary will to win a playoff series out of you guys. Do you need to have a little desperation to have that will?

Johnson: Yeah, I think so. Going into the game, we were a little bit hesitant. That allowed Detroit to take it to us. Once they had that confidence, once they were going, it was tough for us to counter. We got too frustrated. We just have to relax a little bit and play our game. That's what we have to focus on. In Game 4, we have to come out as hard as we can and be ready to play right away.

ESPN.com: The battle between you and Luke Glendening has been fun to watch from afar. Is there any trash talk up close?

Johnson: Actually, no. I feel like we have a lot of respect for each other. We talk more about other things.

ESPN.com: Do you know him at all?

Johnson: No, I just know a lot of the [Red Wings] players after playing against them in the Calder Cup finals and then playing against them so much here. I have a lot of respect for everyone on that team. They're awesome guys, and we've had some tough, tough battles. That's the beauty of hockey; you have tough battles and you're competing, doing everything you can to win. But at the end of the day, you have the respect for one another.