Capitals recall Smith-Pelly from AHL

The Washington Capitals have recalled right winger Devante Smith-Pelly from the AHL's Hershey Bears, the team announced on Friday. Goalie Vitek Vanecek was sent to Hershey in a corresponding move.

Smith-Pelley was one of the heroes of the Capitals' run to the Stanley Cup last season, but he was assigned to the AHL club in February. The Capitals are tied 2-2 with the Carolina Hurricanes in their first-round playoff series.

Smith-Pelly scored seven goals in the postseason last year -- matching his regular-season total -- and tallied the game-tying goal during the Capitals' Cup-clinching Game 5 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Smith-Pelly had four goals and four assists in 54 games this season.

Smith-Pelly, 26, has played for four teams in eight NHL seasons. He has 44 goals and 57 assists in 395 career games. He was playing on a one-year, $1 million contract this season. --Field Level Media