Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Notches assist in Game 1
Rotowire
Protas garnered an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers in Sunday's Game 1.
Protas was able to end a five-game point drought, during which he had 14 shots on net, five hits and two blocked shots. The 23-year-old has been slotting into a top-six role with Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson but could be in danger of dropping further down the lineup if he continues to struggle offensively.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Protas (lower body) is expected to play Sunday versus the Jets, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Protas is poised to return from a two-game absence, barring a last-minute setback. He has contributed five goals, 28 points and 90 shots on net in 65 contests this campaign while occupying roles up and down the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Not playing Friday
Rotowire
Protas (lower body) won't play against Carolina on Friday, The Hockey News reports.
Protas will miss his second consecutive game. He has five goals and 28 points in 65 games this season. Consider him a possibility for Sunday's tilt against the Jets, as he was a full participant at practice Friday.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Unavailable Wednesday
Rotowire
Protas (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs.
Protas battled a lower-body injury last week, but it's unclear if this is a related issue. T.J. Oshie (upper body) is also out Wednesday, allowing both Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Michael Sgarbossa to draw in. Protas has not recorded a point in his last four outings.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Unavailable versus Oilers
Rotowire
Protas (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus the Oilers.
Protas has been limited to two assists over his last six outings. It's unclear when he sustained the injury. Tom Wilson (upper body) is expected to be back in the lineup, likely on the top line where Protas had been playing. The Capitals' next game is Thursday versus the Kraken.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Notches two points
Rotowire
Protas registered two assists and two blocked shots during Saturday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Protas is enjoying his promotion to the top line alongside Alex Ovechkin and Hendrix Lapierre. The 6-foot-6 forward has nine points in his last 10 games, and Protas is tied for third on the team with 27 even-strength points. A lack of opportunity on the power play will make it tough for Protas to maintain the recent success.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Goal, assist Saturday
Rotowire
Protas tallied a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-3 win over Montreal.
Protas picked up an assist on Anthony Mantha's opening goal in the first period before adding a tally in the third, pushing a rebound past Jake Allen for the eventual game-winner in a 4-3 victory. It's the first goal since Dec. 7 for Protas, who had just one point in 18 games prior to Saturday's outing. Overall, the 23-year-old forward has four goals and 21 points through 52 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Inks extension
Rotowire
Protas signed a five-year, $16.875 million contract extension on Friday.
Protas was a pending restricted free agent heading into the summer, but in the midst of a career-best 18 points in 42 games, the Capitals wasted no time in locking the hulking winger to a long-term deal. The 23-year-old will need to continue to improve his offensive production in order to live up to his $3.375 million annual salary, but Protas owns an intriguing blend of size and skill and will be a key member of Washington's offense for years to come.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Running cold
Rotowire
Protas has no points and a minus-5 rating over his last seven games.
Protas has been shuffled down to the third line alongside Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson in an attempt to rekindle his offensive game. The return of Max Pacioretty and Sonny Milano (upper body) could hamper the 23-year-old Protas' efforts to lock down a top-six role in the final half of the 2022-23 season despite establishing a career high of 18 points in the first 40 games. The hulking forward could become a solid fantasy asset in the future, but Protas will need to become a more consistent offensive producer before achieving that title.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Two-point night Thursday
Rotowire
Protas tallied a goal, an assist and three shots during Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Stars.
Protas opened the scoring with a shot from behind the goal line that banked off Stars netminder Scott Wedgewood and into the net. Protas has posted two goals and seven points in his last nine games and seems to be meshing well on the second line with Connor McMichael and Anthony Mantha, so those in deeper formats may want to give him a look.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Erupts for three points
Rotowire
Protas scored a goal on his only shot and added two assists in a 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Protas sniped a shot on the rush past Elvis Merzlikins to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead. The Belarusian forward also picked up helpers on goals by Hendrix Lapierre and Sonny Milano. Protas has scored six points in his last five games as he seems to be picking up the pace offensively. He should continue to occupy a role on the third line.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Contributes two helpers
Rotowire
Protas recorded a pair of assists and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Panthers.
Protas set up the Capitals' first two goals of the game, including a shorthanded tally by Connor McMichael. This snapped a four-game point drought for Protas, who earned his first multi-point effort since Dec. 31, 2022. The 22-year-old forward has three helpers, 10 shots on net, five blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 10 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Recalled Saturday
Rotowire
Protas was called up from AHL Hershey on Saturday.
Goaltender Clay Stevenson was sent down in a corresponding move, as Darcy Kuemper (personal) is ready to rejoin the Caps following the birth of his son. The 22-year-old Protas could compete for a bottom-six role after tallying four goals and 11 assists in 58 games last season.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Loaned to AHL
Rotowire
Protas was assigned to AHL Hershey on Monday.
Protas could be back with the Capitals soon, as the team had to make some transactions in order to be cap compliant prior to Monday's deadline. He supplied 15 points, 83 shots on goal and 39 hits in 58 games for Washington last season.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Back in Hershey
Rotowire
Protas was returned to AHL Hershey on Friday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Protas played in 58 games at the NHL level, scoring four times and adding 11 assists. The 22-year-old was a bottom-six forward this season, averaging 11:31 of ice time per contest. He will gain valuable experience in the AHL playoffs with the first-place Hershey Bears.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Dishes helper Thursday
Rotowire
Protas tallied an assist and a plus-2 rating during Thursday's 6-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Protas has helpers in consecutive games working on the fourth line alongside Nic Dowd and Connor Sheary. The 22-year-old has been up and down with the Capitals throughout the 2022-23 campaign but could get more regular minutes in the final games should Washington's playoff aspirations fade and management decides to give younger players a longer look -- though Protas' fantasy value remains considerably low in the short term, even with more steady ice time.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Up with Capitals
Rotowire
Protas was recalled from AHL Hershey on Sunday.
Protas has generated three goals, seven assists, 55 shots on net and 32 hits in 43 games with the Capitals this season. He should be expected to accompany the team to Los Angeles ahead of Monday's contest versus the Kings.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Returns to AHL
Rotowire
Protas was reassigned to AHL Hershey on Friday.
Protas has three goals and 10 points in 43 contests with Washington this season. The 22-year-old also has two goals and five points in eight games with Hershey in 2022-23.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Returned to minor-league affiliate
Rotowire
Protas was assigned to AHL Hershey on Tuesday.
Protas has been a healthy scratch for two straight contests since rejoining the Capitals following a brief personal absence, so he'll head to the minors for some much-needed playing time. The 22-year-old has, however, drawn into 43 games with the big club this campaign, picking up 10 points over that span, so he should be back with Washington sooner rather than later.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Alexei Protas: Unavailable for personal reasons
Rotowire
Protas (personal) won't play Tuesday versus the Hurricanes, as he is awaiting the birth of his child, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Protas was initially expected to serve in a top-six role with Alex Ovechkin (personal) out. With Protas away from the team, Joe Snively is expected to draw into the lineup.
