The Islanders are thinking about the “special” Johnny Gaudreau ahead of their meeting with the Blue Jackets.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Johnny Gaudreau was on Ryan Pulock’s mind on the plane to Columbus Tuesday night, and that doesn’t make Pulock unique. It’s hard not to think of the former Blue Jackets superstar on the field here in central Ohio.

Gaudreau’s face still hangs on the marquee outside Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets left him as a mark of respect. His number 13 jersey is displayed in the windows of the building.

Screens outside the building display a message in memory of Johnny and his brother Matthew who were both killed by alleged drunk driver while riding bicycle in Oldmans Township, New Jersey., August 29

Walking into the Blue Jackets locker room, where his locker remains untouched, feels like intruding on someone’s grief, even if the entire hockey world shares it.

“I was lucky enough to play with Johnny in a couple of World Cups (in 2017 and 2018), I had a great time with him,” Anders Lee said Tuesday, a day before the Islanders faced the Blue Jackets for the first time this season season “Not just on the ice, but away from it, having fun. You’ve heard a lot about him, but he’s such a solid guy. He is a special person and a special talent.”

Lee had the pleasure of traveling through Cologne, Germany; Herning, Denmark; and Copenhagen — host of the 2017 and 2018 world championships — with Gaudreau as part of Team USA, taking home bronze after defeating Canada in the last event.

“We go there and you’re playing in the World Cup, you get to meet a lot of the guys, see a lot of the guys you’ve played against and get a chance to play for your country, which is pretty special,” Lee said. “But you go and play hard and there are opportunities to have a little bit of fun. Had a great time with Johnny and the crew, enjoying each other’s company, having a few drinks and walking around. And these are the memories I will take with me as I get to know Johnny.

“A lot of fun off the rink, but also played with him on the line in one of the tournaments. Just the good hockey we played and the way he facilitated it with his talent. He’ll tape it for you.’

Brock Nelson was part of that 2017 team, as well as last summer’s Team USA at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, Gaudreau’s last competition before the accident.

“I think he was a really happy guy. Really quiet, reserved, just quiet and minding his own business,” Nelson said. “A great teammate and friend to a lot of guys, he meant a lot as a hockey player, but beyond that (as) a brother, a husband, a father, a son. And he was just a good guy and comes from a good family, so it’s just a terrible situation and a tragedy.”

In a more just world, Gaudreau would be leading the Blue Jackets starting a nice 4-3-1 formation and the Islanders would be answering questions about how to slow him down on the ice.

Perhaps Gaudreau would have spent Wednesday morning answering questions about how the Islanders were looking for him in 2022 when he shocked the hockey world by signing a seven-year contract with Columbus.

Instead, like every other team that came through Columbus, the Islanders looked back fondly on their memories of No. 13.

“I think everybody who knew Johnny going back there for the first time is going to bring back a lot of memories and different emotions for the guys,” Nelson said. “It’s sad. Not much to say other than that and just give the family what you can. Support, thoughts, prayers. Just try to remember Johnny and the times you’ve been through. He was a special person.”