Capitals place Niskanen on long-term injured reserve

The Washington Capitals placed defenseman Matt Niskanen on long-term injured reserve Saturday with an upper-body injury.
Niskanen left in the second period of Washington's 5-2 victory at the New Jersey Devils on Friday and did not return. He is listed as week to week. Niskanen has one assist in Washington's first five games and was averaging 23:22 of ice time through four games. He played 12:18 against the Devils.

Coach Barry Trotz said the earliest Niskanen can return is the Capitals' game at the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 7
Niskanen, 30, has been a durable player, missing five games in the past four seasons. He has 270 points (49 goals, 221 assists) in 738 NHL games over 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Capitals.
Washington recalled defenseman Madison Bowey from Hershey of the American Hockey League. Bowey, 22, will make his NHL debut Saturday when the Capitals play at the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSWA, NHL.TV). Bowey will be paired with Christian Djoos, who made his NHL debut Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The two were partners in Hershey last season.