The Capitals need an extra forward as McMichael deals with illness.

The Washington Capitals have made a recall ahead of Thursday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, bringing up Mike Sgarbossa from the AHL's Hershey Bears.

Sgarbossa gives the Capitals another forward option and some security with Connor McMichael dealing with an illness that held him out of the lineup for Wednesday's 3-2 win over the New York Islanders.

McMichael did not make the trip to Columbus due to his illness, and Sgarbossa will remain up over this stretch to provide a safety net and another depth option in case the illness spreads through the room.

Here are the line combinations:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas-Hendrix Lapierre-Anthony Mantha

Ivan Miroshnichenko-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Matthew Phillips

Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson

Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen

Charlie Lindgren

Darcy Kuemper

This move does leave Hershey a bit shorthanded, though, as the team now has exactly 12 forwards remaining on the roster.

Nonetheless, it's a reward for Sgarbossa. The 31-year-old has impressed to open the season with Hershey and is operating at a point-per-game pace with five goals and 23 assists through 28 games.

The NHL is currently in the midst of a roster freeze. Players can be emergency recalled during this period and moves can be made with regard to the long-term injured reserve, but there are no waivers, trades or loans allowed in this period.

Washington does have the space to accommodate an extra player. Lucas Johansen cleared waivers and was reassigned to the Bears back on Tuesday, and because the team didn't sign Ethan Bear yet, that extra roster spot remains available. Therefore, no corresponding moves are necessary.

The Capitals face Columbus at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.