Washington Capitals D Matt Niskanen day-to-day with lower body injury

The Washington Capitals said Monday that defenseman Matt Niskanen has a lower body injury and is day-to-day, according to Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post.

The Washington Capitals said Monday that defenseman Matt Niskanen has a lower body injury and is day-to-day, according to Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post.

Niskanen played Sunday night in Washington’s 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers, recording five shots, one hit and two blocked shots. He logging 22:03 of ice time, just below his season average of 22:25.

He did not practice with the team on Monday, leaving his status for Wednesday’s matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in doubt.

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He is in his first year with the Capitals after signing a seven-year, $40.25 million free agent contract in July. Niskanen set career highs last season with 10 goals and 36 assists for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had two goals and nine points for the Penguins in last year’s playoffs.

He was the 28th overall pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft after playing for Virginia (Minn.) High School, scoring 27 goals and 65 points in 29 games as a senior.

He played two seasons at the collegiate-level with Minnesota-Duluth before signing with Dallas in 2007.

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Niskanen made his NHL debut on Oct. 3, 2007, for the Stars and was dealt with left wing James Neal to Pittsburgh in February 2011 in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski.

In his eighth season, the 28-year-old Niskanen has 37 goals and 179 points in 529 NHL games.

- Phil Watson