Washington Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday after being hit by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mikey Eyssimont and falling awkwardly into the boards.
Jensen laid motionless on the ice as the two teams brawled in the aftermath.
Prayers up to Nick Jensen, who had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after a tough hit from Eyssimont. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/79G1S4uXnB
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 13, 2024
Eyssimont was initially escorted to the penalty box by the officials but ultimately wasn't penalized.
Shorty thereafter, the Capitals said Jensen is conscious, alert, and can use all of his extremities. The team's medical staff will continue to monitor him.
The game went to the first intermission early as a result of the incident.
Capitals forward Nic Dowd challenged Eyssimont to a fight in the second frame.
Nic Dowd drops the mitts with Michael Eyssimont 🥊 pic.twitter.com/etVL8EOyBK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 13, 2024
Jensen is in his fifth full season with the Capitals. He played parts of three campaigns with the Detroit Red Wings to start his career before they traded him to Washington in February 2019.
The 33-year-old has played a top-four role with the Capitals this season. He has a goal and 13 assists over 78 games in 2023-24 and came into Saturday's game averaging 19:48 of ice time.
Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.