Hunter Shepard Final 2023-24 Capitals Report Card

While Ivan Miroshnichenko provided some magic in last night's Hershey Bears win, Hunter Shepard backstopped hem to his fifth playoff win as he made 22 of 24 stops in the 4-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack. Shepard helped stop the Wolf Pack power play as the opposition went 0 for 3.

The Bears will next take on the Wolf Pack in Hartford on Wednesday May 22 at 7 p.m. at XL Center. If you are looking to buy tickets to the game you can do so here. If you live in the Hershey area be sure to check out their watch party at The Bears Den at Hershey Lodge. Seating is first come, first serve.

If you're unable to do either of those two have no fear if you live in the DC area as you can catch the game on Monumental Sports Network. If you live outside the DC market, fans are encouraged to subscribe to AHLTV. If you live in Hershey, WPMT FOX 43.2 is your station.

Shepard's four Caps games

Shepard went 2-1-1 with the Washington Capitals with with a 3.19 goals against average and an .894 save percentage. On Oct. 25 in New Jersey I credit Shepard for keeping his poise in what would turn out to be a crucial division win over the New Jersey Devils where Shepard made 18 saves despite allowing four goals in a welcome to the NHL moment. Credit to the Caps offense for finally clicking that night.

Shepard was even better in his next game as he made 36 of 37 stops in a win over the New York Islanders on Nov. 11, ironically a day after the Caps beat New Jersey across the river. He would falter in the shootout on Dec. 30 to the Nashville Predators before the Devils got their revenge on Jan. 3.

In Hershey

Shepard went 27-4-3-5 in the regular season with the Hershey Bears with a 1.76 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. So far this postseason he's 5-1-0-0 with a 1.68 GAA and a .935 save percentage per The AHL.

Final Grade B: Hunter Shepard did what he was asked to do when he got called up to the Caps and we have yet to see his NHL ceiling. But for now we're going to ride the Hershey wave and see if Shepard and the Bears can defend their Calder Cup title.