Although John Carlson grabs the blue-line headlines for the Washington Capitals, Matt Niskanen is the glue holding the defense together.
An old-school defender, a Tim Horton or Rod Langway, Niskanen’s value comes from what does not happen on the scoresheet rather than his ability to play both ways. He will not take dumb penalties and delivers a needed hit.
What Niskanen does best is prevent goals. Last season, his plus/minus was 24. The best number in his four years in Washington. Impressive since he skated in only 68 games.