The hit that Matt Niskanen took in Washington’s 3-1 victory over Carolina Thursday seems to have looked worse than it is; Niskanen is listed as day-to-day and will travel with the team to Ottawa, head coach Todd Reirden announced Thursday.
In the waning minutes of the third period, Matt Niskanen was battling Justin Williams in a chase for a loose puck in the corner. As he took a slight check from Williams, Niskanen was still speeding toward the puck, then, suddenly, he found himself going head-first into the boards. Clark Bishop checked Niskanen from behind, sending him straight into the boards and, ultimately, hitting him in the head.