Johnson struggled during the first half of the 2013–14 season, with only 11 points in 43 games by January, a factor in the decision to not include Johnson on Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi despite being considered by many to be a lock for the team. His play would improve in the new year, however, and Johnson would score 22 points in the 39 remaining games to finish the year with five goals and 33 points and help the Blue Jackets clinch their first playoff berth since 2009. The Blue Jackets would face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs, but fell in six games. Johnson led all Blue Jackets players in playoff scoring, with three goals and seven points in the six-game series, including two assists in a narrow 4–3 loss on home ice that knocked the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs.