Capitals' Wideman has hematoma

The Washington Capitals will be without defenceman Dennis Wideman indefinitely due to a leg injury.

Wideman has hospitalized afer a hematoma formed in his leg following a collision in a game earlier this week against Carolina.

Wideman has one goals and six assists in 14 games for the Capitals since going to the Caps in a trade with Florida. For the season, the veteran has 10 goals and 30 assists in 75 games.

Meanwhile, defenceman John Erskine left early in the team's 4-3 win over Columbus on Thursday, and blue-liner Mike Green has played just one game since Feb. 12 after taking a puck to the head.

"We don't want anyone else to get hurt but … I've been on a lot of winning teams and they've had to fight [with] more guys being out than we have," coach Bruce Boudreau said after the game.

Washington, second in the Eastern Conference with 101 points, hosts Buffalo on Saturday.