Late in the third period during Thursday night’s Washington Capitals game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Matt Niskanen was hit gruesomely by Clark Bishop into the boards. While there was no penalty on the play, Niskanen exited the game and did not return. Following the game, Caps head coach Todd Reirden didn’t have an update but with the team practicing on Friday morning before traveling to Ottawa for Saturday’s game with the Senators the coach got a better idea that morning on Niskanen’s status.
Niskanen gets hit hard headfirst into the boards… he got up and skated off on his own power and straight to the locker room. #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/ZCYqCMW12y
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 28, 2018
Niskanen didn’t practice but was listed as day-to-day and will travel with the team to Ottawa. This is certainly good news that could’ve been a lot worse. Reirden said that he’s questionable for Monday’s New Years Eve contest vs. the Predators. The Caps are missing three key defenseman this weekend. Christian Djoos is on long-term IR and Brooks Orpik, despite practicing recently, is not 100% yet. Orpik too is questionable for Monday.
It looks like Madison Bowey will take Niskanen’s spot on the second defensive pair alongside Dmitry Orlov while the third pair will feature Jonas Siegenthaler and Tyler Lewington.