Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen was an important piece to the their 2018 Stanley Cup championship run.
In their attempt to repeat, parts of Niskanen were absent. The voice in the locker room was still there. It is best shown if you see a Niskanen postgame interview where he always gives blunt honesty.
If the Capitals played badly or even if Niskanen himself had a bad game, he’s never afraid speak up. That character trait alone shows how important having a guy like Niskanen is. But there was just something off about him in his play on the ice.