Niskanen has managed just one assist, 11 shots and a minus-7 rating during his last eight games.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen had a productive start to the season with five points in his first 10 games but has tallied just 11 points in 34 games since the beginning of November. The first-round pick from the 2005 NHL Entry Draft is being relied upon more for a defensive role with the emergence of John Carlson but logs plenty of ice time (22:04 per game) on a quality team, so is still worth rostering in deeper formats.

Niskanen (undisclosed) will be in the lineup versus St. Louis on Thursday, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen -- who missed the last two games due to his undisclosed issue -- will bump the recently returned Brooks Orpik from the lineup. The 31-year-old Niskanen should continue to log big minutes (22:19 of ice time) now that he is healthy and could be used sparingly on the power play.

Niskanen (undisclosed) is hopeful to return Thursday against the Blues, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen practiced Tuesday, but his return following a violent collision into the boards during Dec. 27's win over the Hurricanes has yet to be confirmed. Check for more information after Thursday's morning skate for more information. In either case, the 32-year-old Minnesotan is not expected to be out much longer.

Niskanen (undisclosed) won't play in Monday's game versus the Predators, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen was put into concussion protocol but declared his injury wasn't to his head, Chris Kuc of The Athletic reports. That makes the nature of his injury tough to gauge, and his next chance to enter the lineup will be Thursday versus the Blues. Madison Bowey will continue filling in on the second pairing.

Niskanen (undisclosed) is travelling with the team and is questionable for Saturday's tilt against the Senators, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen endured a heavy collision along the boards in Thursday's 3-1 win against the Hurricanes and did not return. The Capitals can only hope the 32-year-old isn't out long, but Madison Bowey is expected to take his spot on the second pairing alongside Dmitry Orlov should he miss any time.

Niskanen left Thursday's 3-1 win over the Hurricanes in the third period due to an undisclosed injury, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen suffered the injury when he collided with Carolina's Clark Bishop and flew head first into the boards behind Washington's net. Coach Todd Reirden wasn't able to provide an update on the veteran blueliner's condition following Thursday's contest, but at this point he should probably be considered questionable at best for Saturday's matchup with the Senators.

Niskanen had a goal and an assist during Thursday's 4-2 win over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen scored for the fourth time this season and registered his tenth helper during Thursday's victory. The athletic defender now has 14 points in his 28 games played this season, putting him at a half-point-per-game pace.

Niskanen tallied a power-play assist, two shots and seven blocked shots during Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

The helper gives Niskanen three goals and 10 points in 21 games, which paces him for a return to the 30-point mark after managing just 29 in 2017-18. More alarming, however, is his minus-3 rating on the year which would be the worst finish in that category since 2009-10. Even so, he's a big-minute defender on a quality team so his fantasy value is fairly broad.

Niskanen tallied two assists, two shots, three hits and logged 24:59 of ice time during Thursday's 6-4 comeback win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Niskanen was just behind defense partner Dmitry Orlov for the team high in ice time. Although the 31-year-old is relied upon in a shutdown role, he also has two goals and seven points in 11 games to start the season which is well ahead of last season's 29-point pace. The Minnesota native is worth owning in all formats given his production and role on a high-octane Capitals team.

Niskanen recorded an assist, four shots and four hits while logging a season-high 25:57 of ice time during Friday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

The helper gives Niskanen a goal and four points in the first seven games which should help him rebound from a lackluster 29-point campaign from 2017-18. The 31-year-old Minnesotan is part of Washington's shutdown pair with Dmitry Orlov, which means he gets plenty of ice time, but his minus-3 rating reflects the potential downside of facing those tougher matchups. Regardless, he's worth rostering in all formats.