COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus defenceman James Wisniewski sustained a concussion after landing back-first against the end boards in the second period of the Blue Jackets' 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
Wisniewski, who had tied the game at 1 with a first-period goal, was chasing the puck with teammate Nick Foligno. Detroit's Justin Abdelkader appeared to make contact with Foligno, who then bumped into Wisniewski. Wisniewski spun around and landed hard against the boards.
"It's awful to see a guy lying there like he was," teammate Jack Johnson said. "Your heart kind of stops for a minute. You could hear a pin drop in the arena. Once we saw him talking and move, it's a huge sigh of relief."
Wisniewski was treated by a doctor and a trainer on the ice. He eventually sat up and skated off the ice with the aid of two teammates.
Columbus coach Todd Richards said he spoke with Wisniewski after the game.
"It is a concussion," Richards said. "Next we'll see where that goes."
Richards said Wisniewski was stiff and sore.
"He's moving slow," Richards said. "His back and leg got hurt in the collision."
The Red Wings also lost a defenceman, Brendan Smith, who injured a shoulder in the first period and didn't return.
Detroit is already doing without goaltender Jonas Gustavsson (groin), defenceman Ian White (leg laceration), defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo (shoulder), centre Darren Helm (back), right wing Mikael Samuelsson (groin) and left wing Jan Mursak (collarbone).
"We're already on fumes, and then we lose him," coach Mike Babcock said. "We don't know how long he'll be out."
