Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen left last night’s game early after a collision with Devils forward Jimmy Hayes. We now know more about the degree of Niskanen’s injury. The team has placed him on LTIR, which means Niskanen must miss at least 10 games and 24 days. To fill the spot, the Caps have recalled Madison Bowey from Hershey.

The injury occurred during a penalty kill in the second period. Niskanen and Hayes hit collide into the boards. Niskanen is visibly hurt but still manages to chip the puck clear despite a slash from Hayes. There was no penalty on the play. The Capitals won 5-2 based on the strength of their power play.

Niskanen has one assist and no goals through five games, though he had been assigned tough minutes. Bowey is slated to make his NHL debut tonight.

From the Caps:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 14, 2017 Capitals Recall Madison Bowey From Hershey ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Madison Bowey from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Bowey, 22, made his AHL season debut on Oct. 7 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Last season, Bowey recorded 14 points (3g, 11a) in 43 games. In the 2015-16 season, Bowey led all Bears defensemen in points (29) and assists (25), was named as Hershey’s Defenseman of the Year and won the John Travers/Steve Summers Award for the highest plus/minus on the team. In 105 career AHL games, Bowey has recorded 43 points (7g, 36a). The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was drafted by the Capitals with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2013 draft. As a junior player with the Kelowna Rockets, a team he captained for two seasons, Bowey recorded 172 points (58g, 114a) in 259 games. In 2015, Bowey won the World Junior Championship with Team Canada and the Ed Chynoweth Cup as a WHL champion and was named as a First Team All Star in the WHL.

And here’s some perspective from Pat:

Honestly, the Caps will be fine without Niskanen if Oshie can score two goals and Backstrom can get four points every game — Pat Holden (@pfholden) October 14, 2017

This story has been updated to clarify the play causing the injury.

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