The Capitals made some roster moves on their day off.
The Washington Capitals have made some roster moves on their day off, returning forward Matthew Phillips and goaltender Hunter Shepard to the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Phillips was called up ahead of Friday's tilt with the Carolina Hurricanes to give the team another forward option with T.J. Oshie unavailable on the back-to-back due to an upper-body injury. Phillips did not play.
In 31 NHL games this season between Washington and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Phillips has a goal and four assists. He has three points in five games since joining Hershey.
It is unclear if Phillips' return to Hershey is a sign that Oshie could be back sooner rather than later. Washington is off on Saturday and has not issued a further update on the 37-year-old, who has not missed the last three games and hasn't skated since Tuesday's morning skate in Buffalo.
Meanwhile, Shepard had been called up under emergency conditions as a precaution with Darcy Kuemper having been banged up at Wednesday's optional skate, but he never dressed. Kuemper was healthy enough to back up on Thursday and did start Friday, stunning with 41 saves on 44 shots in a 3-2 loss.
In 31 games this year with the Bears, Shepard has a .927 save percentage and 1.80 GAA, the best in the AHL. In four NHL games this season, he has a .894 save percentage.
Washington next faces the Ottawa Senators on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The Capitals will honor John Carlson ahead of puck drop for hitting 1,000 NHL games.