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The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday morning that center Connor McMichael, forward Brett Leason, and defensemen Paul LaDue and Alexander Alexeyev have all been recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. The four will likely be black aces for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the AHL and junior leagues done for the season.

McMichael, 20, recorded 14 goals, 27 points, and a +6 rating in 33 games with the Bears this season in his first pro season in 2020-21. He also appeared in one game with the Capitals, who selected him 25th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Leason, 22, tallied nine goals, 20 points, and a +9 rating in 33 AHL games this season. The Capitals drafted him 56th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Alexeyev, 21, posted eight goals, 16 points, and a +3 rating in 55 games with the KHL’s Ufa Salavat Yulayev before coming over to the AHL for the final 12 games of the season, where he racked up two goals, nine points, and a +11 rating. Alexeyev was picked 31st overall in 2018 by the Capitals.

LaDue, 28, posted three goals, eight points, and a +11 rating in 18 AHL games this season. The 181st pick in the 2012 NHL Draft (by the Los Angeles Kings) has tallied five goals, 18 points, and an even rating in 69 career NHL games, all with the Kings. The Capitals signed him to a one-year, one-way contract on October 10.

Game 3 of the team’s best-of-seven first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Boston Bruins will take place on Wednesday night (6:30 PM ET, NBCSN nationally, NBC Sports Washington locally). The series is tied 1-1.

By Harrison Brown