Matt Niskanen Injury Update, Line Changes

The Capitals returned to practice on Wednesday morning, following a day off on Tuesday. One of the big questions surrounding the Capitals return is the health of Matt Niskanen.

Niskanen skated with the team at practice Wednesday morning. It looks like there is a strong possibility he will return to the lineup tomorrow night versus the Islanders.

Matt Niskanen (day-to-day with a lower-body injury) is practicing with the team this morning. Good sign.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 30, 2016

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.

Welcome back to @MedStarHealth practice Nisky. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/FmZ7pM8qf8

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 30, 2016

Niskanen did not skate Sunday or Monday, however CSN’s Tarik El-Bashir reported that Niskanen decided to test out the injury during a brief skate at the team’s practice facility Tuesday morning. He reported feeling encouraged afterward.

Niskanen said he felt good in practice today and things are “trending” toward him playing tomorrow.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 30, 2016

TJ OSHIE:
TJ Oshie also skated with the team again this morning, marking his second practice since sustaining an upper body injury on November 18th against the Red Wings.

T.J. Oshie (week-to-week with an upper-body injury) is practicing again this morning.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 30, 2016

Trotz has said not to expect Oshie this week. But Oshie seems to be doing more and more. He also took penalty-kill reps this morning.

FORWARD LINE CHANGES:
Coach Trotz juggled the lines a bit for practice on Wednesday. Brett Connolly was moved into the top six. Justin Williams moved to the third line with Eller and Sanford. Ovechkin and Backstrom were reunited. The practice lines at Wednesdays morning skate: