RALEIGH, N.C. — The Washington Capitals recalled forward Devante Smith-Pelly from the AHL affiliate Hershey Bears Friday, as T.J. Oshie faces an indefinite absence following an upper-body injury.
Oshie left Game 4 of the Capitals’ first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Carolina Hurricanes after he was cross-checked from behind and collided with the boards, leading with his right arm. Coach Todd Reirden said after the game that Oshie “would not be with our team for a while.”
Enter Smith-Pelly, who primarily plays the right winger position like Oshie, and who was stashed away with the Bears for the past two months.
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The Capitals waived Smith-Pelly in February to make room for a trade for forward Carl Hagelin. He cleared waivers and was assigned to the AHL. Before that, he had amassed eight points in 54 NHL games in 2018-19.
But Smith-Pelly is best known for his unlikely heroics in last year’s Stanley Cup Final. He scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ past three wins over the Vegas Golden Knights, propelling the franchise to its first Cup.
It is not guaranteed that Smith-Pelly will see action immediately. Washington’s other options at right winger (behind Tom Wilson and Brett Connolly) include Chandler Stephenson, Travis Boyd and Dmitrij Jaskin.
The Capitals play Game 5 of their series with Carolina Saturday at 8 p.m. at home.
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