Capitals recall heavy-hitter Tom Wilson

Mar 5, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) fights with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn (22) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals have recalled right wing Tom Wilson on Tuesday morning, per a release from the team. In order to do so, the team re-assigned right wing Chris Brown to the Hershey Bears.

With Wilson back on the bench, head coach Barry Trotz is one step closer to having a fully healthy lineup for the first time all season.

Wilson, who played in all 82 games for Washington last season, missed the first five games of this season due to a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old then made two appearances in Hershey before being called up.

Wilson made a name for himself on the Capitals as a bruiser last season. He finished third on the team and among all NHL rookies in hits with 197. Consequently, Wilson finished seventh in the NHL in penalty minutes as he logged 151.

While he only recorded 10 points (three goals and seven assists), his intensity and willingness to deliver a hit gave the Capitals a toughness that fans had wanted to see for some time.

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During Tuesday’s practice, Wilson participated with the fourth line consisting of Jay Beagle and Michael Latta. The move prompted rookie center Evgeny Kuznetsov to move up to the third line with left wing Jason Chimera and right wing Eric Fehr.

In a more noteworthy change, rookie Andre Burakovsky was moved to the first line with left wing Alex Ovechkin and right wing Joel Ward, while center Nicklas Backstrom was moved to the second line between Marcus Johansson and Troy Brouwer.

According to Trotz, the changes in lines should help create a better balance of scoring. He also said that there’s a good chance that Wilson will play tomorrow night against the Detroit Red Wings.

Brown, who will rejoin Hershey, tallied one point in three games this season. That point came as a go-ahead goal (2-1) against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 16. The Caps went on to win the game 6-2.

Brown, 23, played in 12 games with Hershey last season and tallied five points (two goals, three assists). He has a career total of three points in the NHL (two goals, one assist).

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