ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are making a change to their plan between the pipes and are bringing a new netminder into the mix, recalling Clay Stevenson from the AHL's Hershey Bears.
With Stevenson's recall, the Capitals have loaned Hunter Shepard back to Hershey.
The change comes following recent struggles in net and Logan Thompson's injury that has held him out over a week. Thompson started skating on his own on Sunday, but there are still ways to go for him to return.
Washington has given up at least three goals in 11 straight contests, and no netminder has posted over a .900 save percentage since March 22.
Charlie Lindgren has been the team's starter over this stretch with Thompson, the team's No. 1, out of the mix. Shepard did get a game to show what he can do, but gave up seven goals on 24 shots in a 7-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, including two goals on the first two shots faced.
Stevenson has gone 18-6-4 in 33 games with Hershey this season, posting a .888 save percentage. Last season, he had a .922 save percentage and 2.06 GAA with the Bears.
The 26-year-old has yet to play an NHL game, but is likely to start one of the next two games as the Capitals look to stabilize its situation in net before the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.