Hischier will be evaluated on Saturday.
ELMONT, N.Y. -- The New Jersey Devils lost their captain, Nico Hischier, in their 5-4 overtime victory over the New York Islanders. The 24-year-old did not join his team on the bench for the final frame and played 13:20 over the first two periods.
While it's unclear when Hischier got injured, he was hit by Islanders' defenseman Ryan Pulock in the middle frame. The Swiss forward did not require on-ice assistance and finished the period. It was the third hit he took at UBS Arena.
In the first period, the captain was on the receiving end of a big hit from Cal Clutterbuck in the neutral zone. The hit led to Jonas Siegenthaler coming to his captain's defense and cross-checking Clutterbuck, resulting in a penalty. Less than 10 minutes later, Hischier took a hit from former teammate Kyle Palmieri.
After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff provided the following update on his captain.
"(It's) upper-body. We will see how he is tomorrow," he said.
According to the MSGSN broadcast, Hischier has nine hits against this season, which is 16th in the league.
Hischier is still waiting for his first point of the 2023-24 season. Through three games and two periods, he has seven shots, one blocked shot, four hits, and a face-off win percentage of 52.6.
The team is scheduled for a noon practice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center. Stay with The Hockey News, as we will share updates on the captain as the team provides them.