Around the NHL: Blackhawks place Hall on IR; Capitals recall Shepard

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Taylor Hall on the injured reserve, retroactive to Oct. 21, the team announced Tuesday.

Hall aggravated a shoulder injury he initially sustained Oct. 11 in Boston against the Bruins.

He missed one game before returning to the lineup for the next three games.

The 31-year-old Hall, who was acquired from the Bruins in June, has recorded two assists in five games with the Blackhawks.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Washington Capitals recalled goaltender Hunter Shepard from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters Shepard will make his NHL debut Wednesday when the team visits the New Jersey Devils.

Starting netminder Darcy Kuemper gets the call Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Backup Charlie Lindgren was placed on the IR last week due to an upper-body injury.

Shepard holds a 2-0-0 record, 2.88 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage in two games with Hershey this season.

The 27-year-old also appeared in 33 games with the Bears last season and had a 20-8-5 record, 2.18 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and one shutout. He played in all 20 post-season games, guiding Hershey to the Calder Cup title and earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Alex Nedeljkovic will be the Pittsburgh Penguins starting goaltender for Tuesday night’s tilt at home against the Dallas Stars, the club announced Tuesday.

It’ll be the second start this season for Nedeljkovic, who stopped 34 shots in Pittsburgh’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Oct. 14.

Nedeljkovic joined the Penguins as a free agent this season.

The 27-year-old had a 5-7-2 record, 2.53 goals-against average and .895 save percentage in 15 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. He also appeared in 26 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and posted a 13-9-3 record, 2.71 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters that forwards Nico Hischier and Erik Haula should return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

Hischier did not return for the third period of Friday’s game against the New York Islanders due to an upper-body injury. The Devils captain has zero points through four games this season.

Haula (upper-body injury) did not play Friday and has two goals and one assist in three games.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters “it’s possible” forward Sebastian Aho and goaltender Frederik Andersen could play Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Aho and Andersen, who have both been out of the lineup due to upper-body injuries, were on the ice for the team’s morning skate.

Forward Andrei Svechnikov, who hasn’t played since undergoing knee surgery March 3, also skated but is not expected to return just yet.

Defenceman Brett Pesce did not join the Hurricanes on the trip and will miss his second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.