The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled a young forward.
The Tampa Bay Lightning play for the first time since their 4-2 loss on Monday to the Ottawa Senators. Tonight they play the Washington Capitals for the second of three times this year. The first meeting was at the end of December - where they won a tight 2-1 decision in a shootout.
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For tonight's game the Lightning have called up Cole Koepke. The 25-year-old forward has been playing well in the AHL this year.
He has already improved on his point production - 24 points versus the 19 he accumulated in 2022-23. He achieved that while playing 16 less games.
Koepke has spent some time in the NHL already this year. While dressing in eight games he has only averaged 6:48 of ice time per game. Despite the limited ice time he's still managed to chip in on the scoresheet - with two assists to his name. He's contributed off the scoresheet as well, throwing 22 hits in that span.
The Lightning have an optional skate this morning before the game, so fans will need to wait until warm up to see where Koepke will slot into the line up. Jon Cooper did confirm that Koepke will play tonight.