Capitals’ Nick Jensen stretched off ice after nasty hit from Lightning’s Michael Eyssimont
Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen took the brunt of a nasty hit and exited Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Lightning on a stretcher.
As the Capitals took on Tampa Bay at Capital One Arena, Jensen chipped the puck in deep from center ice with 1:34 left in the first period and took a big hit from the Lightning’s Michael Eyssimont.
Eyssimont checked Jensen, who flew into the boards along the side with the benches.
Play quickly was whistled to a halt as both teams traded shoves after the big hit.
The Capitals’ training staff immediately came to Jensen’s aid as play paused for over three minutes.
Jensen was stretched off the ice, and during the second period, the Capitals gave an update, saying he had use of his extremities.
“Jensen is conscious, alert and has the use of all his extremities,” the Capitals said in a statement. “He will continue to be monitored by the team’s medical personnel.”
Jensen walked out of the arena with his family, avoiding a trip to the hospital, according to Capitals coach Spencer Carbery.
“Scary situation,” 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 win 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.”
Eyssimont was not penalized for the hit.
It was the second week in a row that a Lightning game was paused for a scary moment, as referee Steve Kozari was stretchered off the ice in Pittsburgh last Saturday after a collision with defenseman Haydn Fleury.