Photo: Washington Capitals
Matt Niskanen sustained a “lower body injury” at the end of the second period in Saturday night’s game against the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Niskanen would try to return at the start of the third period, gave it a go, but could go no further, missing the final 19 minutes of the game.
Niskanen was not on the ice for Monday morning’s practice. (the Capitals first practice since his injury):
Matt Niskanen, who suffered a lower-body injury against Maple Leafs, isn’t practicing. T.J. Oshie (upper-body injury) is practicing.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 28, 2016
The Capitals made a press release later in the morning:
#Caps Matt Niskanen, not on the ice today, is listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 28, 2016
Niskanen has not missed a game since signing with the Capitals prior to the 2014-15 season, suiting up for 185 consecutive contests. However, the Capitals are off until Thursday, when they host the New York Islanders at Verizon Center.
Defensive line combinations at this morning’s practice, sans Matt Niskanen:
Caps D pairs without Niskanen (lower body): Alzner-Schmidt; Orlov-Carlson; Orpik-Chorney.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 28, 2016
Trotz stated after practice he anticipates Niskanen will practice Wednesday, and hopeful he’ll play on Thursday versus the Islanders.
By Jon Sorensen
Pingback: NoVa Caps Quarterly Review: Assessing the Defense | NoVa Caps