In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes are really making a statement with a solid 3-1 lead against the Washington Capitals, who are led by Alex Ovechkin, in their Eastern Conference Second Round series. So, after they split the first two games, Carolina really took charge with a solid 4-0 shutout in Game 3, and then they followed it up with a 5-2 win in Game 4. The Hurricanes have really found success thanks to their balanced offense and strong goaltending. It’s pretty clear that Washington has been having a tough time, especially when it comes to scoring.
Even with Alex Ovechkin scoring a power-play goal in Game 4, the Capitals have only been able to put two goals on the board in the last two games. Logan Thompson, the goaltender, has really been put to the test, with Carolina taking way more shots than Washington. With their season on the line, the Capitals have made a significant move before what could be an elimination game.
On X, the official account shared the update, stating, “NEWS | The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears.” Pretty exciting stuff! It looks like there’s a change in how the coaching staff is approaching things — maybe they’re worried about the goaltending situation or just trying to bring some new energy to the team.
Clay Stevenson had a solid season in the AHL, so he might step in if starter Logan Thompson keeps having a tough time with Carolina’s relentless offense. Stevenson has really shined as a goaltender for the Hershey Bears this AHL season in 2024-25. He played 33 games and ended up with an 18-8-4 record. His goals-against average was 2.94, and he had a .888 save percentage, along with two shutouts. Stevenson really stood out in December 2023, earning the title of AHL Goaltender of the Month. He had an impressive record of 6-1-0, with a 1.73 GAA, a .942 save percentage, and even managed to pull off two shutouts.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears.#ALLCAPS | @Shift4 https://t.co/Lw0owTIx9O
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 15, 2025
Bringing in Stevenson might not be the most exciting move, but it shows that there’s a recognition that some changes are necessary, even when it comes to the goaltending situation. So, whether Stevenson gets some ice time or just hangs out as a backup in this crucial Game 5, it’s pretty clear that Washington is looking for answers to stop Carolina from sending Ovechkin and the Capitals packing for the summer. Even though the Hurricanes seem to be in a good spot, an NHL insider says they’re not going to take a particular risk.
Not taking any chances against the Alex Ovechkin-led squad
With the Carolina Hurricanes giving it their all, there have been quite a few whispers about potential lineup changes floating around. So, who was taking over for whom? How about Alexander Nikishin for Jalen Chatfield?
Right away, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shot down those claims, saying, “You know, [Jalen] Chatfield, and I love watching Chatfield play, he’s battling an injury clearly, so we’ll see what happens there. But I think a lot of us, the easy way to think is you’re up 3-1 in a series, let’s put [Alexander] Nikishin in now. If you’re ever going to put him in, put him in now. I will tell you, in the playoffs, a coach will never think like that. A coach will never think that this is a good time to experiment when we don’t need to.”
Friedman’s comments really show how NHL coaches are often quite cautious during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Friedman mentions Chatfield, who appears to be managing an injury while he’s out there playing. With Carolina up in the series 3-1, it seems like a perfect opportunity to give Chatfield a little rest and let the promising Alexander Nikishin step in for his first playoff experience. But, Friedman gives us some insight into why coaches often avoid taking that kind of risk.
When you’re making decisions in the postseason, it’s all about trust and familiarity, right? At a time when the club is on a roll, adding a guy without postseason experience might seem like a random move that could throw off their strategy. We’ll just have to wait and see if the Capitals can pull off a comeback against the Hurricanes in Game 5.
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