Caps defenseman Nick Jensen was leveled against the sideboards on Saturday by Tampa Bay’s Michael Eyssimont, and he needed to be pulled off the ice with a stretcher.
After some scuffles, Capital One Arena went silent and players gathered around Jensen, while Eyssimont was brought to the penalty box. The ref then made an announcement, saying that play would resume after the break, with about a minute and a half to go in the first period.
If Jensen being down wasn’t bad enough, the ref then said, “There is no penalty on the play,” and skated off.
“Jensen is conscious, alert and has the use of all his extremities,” the Caps announced during the second period. “He will continue to be monitored by the team’s medical personnel.”
According to coach Spencer Carbery after the game, Jensen didn’t go to the hospital and walked out of the building with his family.
In the second period, Nic Dowd fought Eyssimont. It was Dowd’s first fight since the 2020-21 season.
“Good job,” Dowd was seen saying in Eyssimont’s direction from the penalty box after the fight. Dowd later scored a goal, and Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al played. The Caps won, 4-2.
After the game, Dowd appeared to be choking up while talking about Jensen, who he has known for many years. The two were teammates (and roommates) at St. Cloud State from 2010-2013.
“When I see Jens laying on the ice like that,” he paused. “It’s tough to see.”
#ALLCAPS dirty fucking hit from number 23 on tampa. Nick Jensen is being stretchered out. Hope hes okay pic.twitter.com/OjYlRUgNrr
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) April 13, 2024
#ALLCAPS WHAT A FIGHT FROM DOWD. DOMINATION. pic.twitter.com/wmU2gDDcGR
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) April 13, 2024
