Hurricanes forward Skinner hurt in pre-season game after hit to head

WASHINGTON - Carolina forward Jeff Skinner left the Hurricanes' pre-season finale against Washington after being hit in the head by Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen.

Niskanen hit Skinner in the head with his forearm just after the Hurricanes centre completed a faceoff.

Skinner had trouble getting to his feet after the hit and was wobbly as he left the ice. The team later posted on Twitter that Skinner had an upper body injury and would not return to the game.

Skinner missed time in each of the last two seasons with concussion symptoms.

Niskanen was not penalized on the play.