The Washington Capitals say defenseman Nick Jensen was conscious, alert and had use of all his extremities after having to be stretchered off the ice after taking a hit from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont.
The incident occurred late in the first period when Eyssimont checked Jensen near the boards at center ice, causing the Capitals’ blueliner to fall awkwardly on the ice. The two teams would scrum afterwards, with Washington players protecting Jensen’s motionless body from the pushing and shoving.
Eyssimont was led to the penalty box by officials, but no penalty would be charged to him or any other player during the sequence.
With only 90 seconds left in the period, the two teams would go to the locker room early for an intermission, then play the remainder of the first period before immediately starting the second frame.
Eyssimont and Capitals’ forward Nic Dowd would fight midway through the second period in response to the hit.
The 33-year-old Jensen has one goal and 13 assists for 14 points in 77 games with the Capitals this season. Now in his sixth season with Washington and eighth total NHL campaign, Jensen has 19 goals and 115 assists for 134 points in 561 career games.
The two teams are tied 2-2 in the second period. The Capitals are one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
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