After being stretchered off the ice in the first period of Saturday's Washington Capitals game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it appears defenceman Nick Jensen has avoided a worst-case scenario, though he will still miss time.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed that Jensen is "definitely out" for the last two regular-season games. Carbery also confirmed that Jensen did not have to go to the hospital and was at the team's practice facilities on Sunday.
"Like I said last night, really good to see him able to leave and not have to go to the hospital, was able to go home and stay in his house last night. Everything was good from that standpoint."
The Capitals announced after the game that Jensen was conscious, alert and moving his extremities following the shove from Tampa Bay's Michael Eyssimont late in the first period.
“Scary situation,” head coach Spencer Carbery said. “Initially when you see something like that, someone stretchered off, you’re thinking the worst-case situations. He’s doing better.”
Capitals players after their emotional 4-2 victory to keep their playoff hopes alive still had Jensen on their minds, especially college teammate and longtime friend Nic Dowd, who fought Eyssimont in the second.
“You’re immediately upset, but then when I see Jens laying on the ice like that, it’s tough to see,” Dowd said, his eyes welling with tears. "Our kids grow up together, born around the same time, know his family really well. Seeing anybody in a vulnerable state like that is challenging. But he’s a tough guy, so, I’m glad to know that he’s doing better now.”
After his head hit the boards, Jensen lay motionless on the ice while he was attended to by emergency medical personnel. Officials postponed the final 1:31 of the first period to be played after intermission.
-- With files from the Associated Press
