Nick Jensen Conscious and Alert After Exiting Capitals vs. Lightning on Stretcher

Washington Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen was stretchered off the ice Saturday after a hit from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont.

Jensen appeared to lose consciousness after colliding with the boards at Capital One Arena.

The collision occurred in front of the Lightning bench with fewer than two minutes remaining in the first period.

The Capitals announced that Jensen suffered an injury after the hit but that he was "conscious, alert and has the use of all his extremities."

Jensen logged seven minutes of ice time and recorded one shot on goal prior to the hit.

Officials delayed the final 1:31 of the period until after the intermission.

Eyssimont leads the Lightning with 99 penalty minutes so far this season. No penalty was called following the hit on Jensen.

Jensen had led all Capitals skaters in ice time before his exit. He was skating on the second pairing alongside Alex Alexeyev.

The blueliner's usage has increased since his usual defense partner, Rasmus Sandin, suffered a regular-season ending head injury. Sandin was similarly hurt after a hit by Ottawa Senators forward Parker Kelly sent him into the boards on April 7.

In Sandin's absence, Jensen has played a major role during the Capitals' late-season push for one of the two remaining playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. He led all Washington skaters with more than 25 minutes on the ice Tuesday during a crucial 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings to help keep the Capitals in the postseason race.

The 33-year-old defenseman began his NHL career with the Red Wings in 2016 before he was traded to the Capitals in 2019. He is in his fifth full season in Washington.

Jensen had recorded one goal and 13 assists in 77 contests this season heading into Saturday's game.