Capitals D Nick Jensen stretchered off after hard hit

Washington defenseman Nick Jensen was stretchered off the ice late in the first period Saturday afternoon in the Capitals' home match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he appears to have escaped serious injury.

As the period moved inside the final two minutes, Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont shoved Jensen hard into the boards near the red line.

Jensen, 33, appeared to lose consciousness after slamming into the wall and remained motionless as his teammates went after Eyssimont.

Play was stopped, and the native of Rogers, Minn., was stretchered off the ice.

The Capitals broadcast crew reported they had received word that Jensen was alert and had full use of his extremities.

With 1:31 still left in the period and tensions escalating, the officials chose to send the clubs to the dressing room and carry the remaining 91 seconds over to the second period.

A nine-year NHL veteran, Jensen has one goal and 13 assists in 78 games.

-Field Level Media