ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals goalie Brent Johnson was sent to the AHL's Hershey Bears on Thursday so he can work on his conditioning after being sidelined by a knee injury.

Johnson is expected to play for Hershey on Friday, then return to the Capitals.

He hasn't played for Washington since spraining his left knee during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 27. He is 3-4-1 this season.

The day after Johnson was hurt, the Capitals recalled Frederic Cassivi from Hershey to be the backup to No. 1 goalie Olie Kolzig.

The Capitals have won four of their last five games heading into their next outing, at home Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers.