The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Chandler Stephenson from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. 

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz stated after practice that the Stephenson recall was made so that the Caps could have a second extra forward, and that no starting forward is a question mark for tonight’s game. The Bears begin their own playoff run tonight against Lehigh Valley.

The lines at morning skate:

Ovi-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuz-Williams
Burakovsky-Eller-Wilson
Winnik-Beagle-Connolly
Orlov-Niskanen
Schmidt-Carlson
Orpik-Shattenkirk

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 21, 2017

We will know more after practice and update accordingly.

FROM CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE
Stephenson, 22, played in four games with the Capitals this season and made his 2016-17 season debut on Jan. 24 at Ottawa. He played in nine games with Washington last season and made his NHL debut on Oct. 15, 2015 vs. Chicago. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native earned 38 points (10g, 28a) in 72 games with Hershey (AHL) during the 2016-17 regular-season and ranked fifth on the team in assists and seventh in points. Stephenson set AHL career highs in points, goals, assists and games played this season. The 6’0”, 204-pound forward has earned 81 points (25g, 56a) in 174 career AHL games with Hershey. He was drafted by the Capitals in the third round, 77th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.