Miroshnichenko and Lapierre played three games together up with the Capitals before the break.
WASHINGTON – With the Washington Capitals officially on holiday break, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre have been returned to the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Washington announced the move minutes after its 2-1 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Hershey doesn't play again until Wednesday, but it gives both young forwards the chance to return to their home base for the holiday.
Miroshnichenko played three games up with the big club as he made his NHL debut this week, picking up four shots while playing on the third line wing alongside Evgney Kuznetsov. He will continue to develop in Hershey, where he's having a strong rookie year with 15 points in 27 games.
Lapierre had two points in his three-game stint back up in D.C. and also played top-6 minutes as the second-line center for two games with Connor McMichael battling illness.
Miroshnichenko and Lapierre were linemates in Saturday's loss.
The Capitals are expecting forwards Max Pacioretty and Sonny Milano back in the mix soon after the break, as Pacioretty is nearing a return from a re-torn Achilles while Milano is working his way back from an upper-body injury. T.J. Oshie is also returning from a lower-body ailment, though his timeline remains up in the air.
Not only that, but Ethan Bear is going to sign his contract after the break, so the team will need a roster spot. He is also working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Bear is currently in D.C. and is rehabilitating with the team, though he is not yet signed.