Jensen was stretchered off the ice early in the Capitals' 4-2 win over the Lightning.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Dylan McIlrath from the AHL's Hershey Bears after Nick Jensen was hurt and stretchered off the ice in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Jensen was skating in the first period when he took a heavy hit along the benches from Michael Eyssimont, which sent him to the ice and appeared to knock him unconscious.
He lay motionless for several minutes, but after the play, was conscious, alert and had full use of all his extremities. He walked out of Capital One Arena with his family under his own power and did not go to the hospital.
McIlrath, a right-hand shot and Hershey's captain, has three goals and six assists for nine points in 58 games this season, along with 100 penalty minutes. He has played in one game up with the Capitals this season, posting a fight against the Vegas Golden Knights. He will wear No. 52 in his latest assignment.
Along with McIlrath, defensemen Lucas Johansen and Vincent Iorio are also up with the Capitals with two more games to go in the regular season, with Rasmus Sandin expected to miss the final two games and Ethan Bear out indefinitely as he receives care from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. It is unclear if McIlrath or Johansen will draw in the lineup on Monday against the Boston Bruins.
Washington currently has a hold on the second Wild Card spot following Saturday's victory, but it will come down to the final two games of the season, with the Capitals also meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back.