Thursday morning the Capitals announced that they have sent forward Travis Boyd back to AHL Hershey. Boyd made his NHL debut during Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, filling in holes created by injuries to Chandler Stephenson, TJ Oshie and Andre Burakovsky.

Stephenson has since returned to the lineup, and Oshie remains day-to-day with an upper body injury. Oshie left the game against the Sharks after being checked in the head by Joe Thornton and did not play Wednesday night against the Blackhawks.

The move could mean that Burakovsky will be making his return to the lineup. Burakovsky, who has been out since October 24 after having surgery on a fractured thumb, has been practicing with the Caps. The team has said that Burakovsky has been eyeing a return to the ice this week, though he has not yet been officially cleared.

Travis Boyd has been returned to Hershey. Good sign Burakovsky could play tomorrow vs. Rangers.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 7, 2017

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The Washington Capitals have re-assigned forward Travis Boyd to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Boyd, 24, made his NHL debut on Dec. 4 against the San Jose Sharks and appeared in two games for the Capitals since he was recalled on Dec. 3.

Boyd has recorded 20 points (3g, 17a) in 23 games with Hershey this season. Boyd has registered eight multi-point games, including three straight from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3. Additionally, the Hopkins, Minn., native’s 11 power play assists are tied for second in the AHL this season.

Boyd holds the distinction of playing in 176-straight regular season games since April 18, 2015. Including the playoffs, Boyd has participated in 208-straight games for the Bears. Boyd’s iron man streak is the longest active streak in the AHL.

Boyd registered 63 points (16g, 47a) in 76 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) during the 2016-17 season, setting career highs in points, assists and plus/minus (+19). The 5’11”, 185-pound forward led Hershey in points and assists last season and was named team MVP. In addition, he finished the season ranked tied for third in the AHL in assists and tied for sixth in points. Boyd was named to the AHL’s Second All-Star Team for the 2016-17 season and represented the Atlantic Division at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic. Boyd has registered 138 points (41g, 97a) in 177 career AHL games with Hershey.

Drafted with the Capitals’ sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft, Boyd played in four seasons for the University of Minnesota and recorded 96 points (32g, 64a) in 148 collegiate games. Boyd won the Big Ten championship in the 2014-15 season and was named to the Big Ten’s Second All-Star Team. Additionally, Boyd won a gold medal for Team USA in the U-18 World Junior Championship in 2011.

Headline photo: @Tboyd93