Nate Schmidt recalled from Hershey by Capitals as injury insurance for Tim Gleason

Nate Schmidt was recalled from Hershey yet again late Monday as the Capitals provide insurance for an unspecified injury to defenseman Tim Gleason.

Schmidt, who rejoined the Capitals briefly in the days leading up to Game 3 of the second-round series against the New York Rangers, practiced with the team on Tuesday and joined it for the trip north.

A decision on Gleason’s availability likely won’t be announced by the team until shortly before the game for competitive advantage reasons, though coach Barry Trotz said Gleason was fine on Tuesday.

“It’s the playoffs,” Trotz said. “You get banged around a little bit. You just need a day for maintenance here and there, but I feel very confident. He didn’t seem to have any problems today.”

Trotz only previously said that Gleason sustained that injury while blocking a shot during the playoffs, but would not share any other specifics, including the location of the ailment. Gleason played just 8:10, his lowest ice time of the series, in the 4-3 loss in Game 6 on Sunday, and took just three shifts in the first period.

Schmidt had played in 39 games with the Capitals during the season and has three goals and five assists in eight Calder Cup playoff games with Hershey.