The 28-year-old is expected to start for the Capitals on Saturday.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Hunter Shepard from the AHL's Hershey Bears with goaltender Charlie Lindgren out with an upper-body injury, and Shepard also figures to get the start on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.
Per the NHL Media site, Shepard has been added to the NHL roster, while Ivan Miroshnichenko was removed, indicating he's been reassigned to Hershey as the team makes space. Washington is also waiting on word regarding Max Pacioretty and Ethan Bear, who could make their season debuts.
Lindgren was hurt in the opening minutes of the Capitals' 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders while stopping a high shot from Brock Nelson. He stopped three shots before exiting the game in favor of Darcy Kuemper in the middle of the first period.
It's unclear what the exact nature of the injury is or its severity, but head coach Spencer Carbery said postgame that Lindgren would be out "for the foreseeable future" as a result. The same goes forhdefenseman Martin Fehervary, who was hurt shortly after Lindgren on Friday.
Shepard, who earned playoff MVP accolades last season after leading Hershey to its 12th Calder Cup, is having a strong season with a 14-2-0 record, .908 save percentage and 2.28 GAA, along with one shutout.
In two games with Washington this season, Shepard is 2-0-0 with a .915 save percentage and 2.15 GAA.
Kuemper played the majority of Friday's game against the Islanders, where he surrendered five goals on 32 shots, so Shepard is the expected starter.