When one man goes down, another must step up.
After the Capitals likely lost TJ Oshie for the rest of the postseason, the team called up one of their heroes from last season’s Stanley Cup triumph, Devante Smith-Pelly, from Hershey.
DSP’s reception back home has been powerful. After missing the team’s skate Friday, Smith-Pelly took the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and got a loud ovation from fans.
Video
…And The Crowd Goes Wild!
Listen to @capitals fans as @smithpelly23 returns to morning skate.He told us after:
“I’m just going to feed off the importance of every night and try to do my best.” @SherreeBurruss with your #ALLCAPS coverage tonight at 6 on @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/JoY2xGyb5X— dckerNBC4 (@dckerNBC4) April 20, 2019
After practice, DSP spoke to reporters. During his interview, several teammates can be heard in the background clapping for Smith-Pelly including longtime friend Tom Wilson.
.@smithpelly23 on the recall from Hershey to play in Game 5#ALLCAPS #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/hReFQm1xDV
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 20, 2019
The clapping can be heard at the 46-second mark.
The players also chanted his name, according to the Washington Times’ Adam Zielonka.
Smith-Pelly meets the media. His teammates playfully broke in with clapping and "D-S-P" chants more than once. #Caps pic.twitter.com/Z42JTY45cj
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) April 20, 2019
“It was good – it was a good feeling,” Smith-Pelly said of fans’ ovation when he stepped out onto the ice. “Definitely makes me a lot more excited to actually get out there and play.”
From Easter-inspired savior signs to Instagram likes, Capitals players and fans alike are excited to have the BIG TIME forward back.
Hopefully, this energy can be infectious for both the Caps and DSP.
DSP is trending. pic.twitter.com/7GEWl4HUNu
— RMNB (@russianmachine) April 19, 2019
