While the Capitals’ 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes following the Christmas break was cause for celebration, there came cause for concern in the third period of the game when Caps defenseman Matt Niskanen left the game following a scary crash into the end boards.

With 8:26 left in the final frame of play, Niskanen was pushed from behind into the end boards behind Braden Holtby by Carolina’s Clark Bishop. crashing face-first into the boards. Niskanen immediately fell to the ice, writhing in clear pain. He lay on the ice for some time before being helped off the ice by Capitals Head Athletic Trainer Jason Serbus. He did not return to the game, and per The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan, Head Coach Todd Reirden did not have an update on the veteran blueliner following the game. The play can be seen below:

Niskanen played a total of 16:54 minutes in the Caps’ eventual 3-1 victory. Through 36 games played this season, Niskanen has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points, and has once again been one of the team’s better two-way rearguards. Already without defensemen Brooks Orpik (who is making progress in his recovery from knee surgery) and Christian Djoos, the loss of Niskanen for any period of time would leave a gaping hole on the blueline. Per Khurshudyan, Reirden was given a game misconduct at the end of the game, possibly as a result of his voicing his displeasure about Bishop’s hit on Niskanen.

So, just realized Todd Reirden apparently got a misconduct after the game. (Thanks to @elizqueenmama for pointing it out to me) pic.twitter.com/A8syssZTpI

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 28, 2018

Teammate T.J. Oshie, who scored in the team’s win, was reportedly so concerned about Niskanen that he considered leaving the bench to check on him (an act that would result in a suspension, per Khurshudyan). It is unknown at this stage whether Niskanen will be able to travel with the team for their Saturday night tilt with the Ottawa Senators.

Oshie said he was initially so worried about Niskanen that he nearly went over the boards (which would’ve been a suspension).

Carlson said he’s checked in on Niskanen. “He’s alive.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 28, 2018

By Michael Fleetwood