Protas has not played since suffering a foot injury on April 4th but could make his 2024-25 postseason debut in Game 5 after being a game-time decision the past three contests. The 24-year-old Protas had 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.
Protas last appeared on April 4th due to a foot injury but has been travelling with Washington for their first-round series vs. Montreal and is a game-time decision to return for Game 3 on Friday. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in his fourth NHL season in 2024-25, with 30 goals, 60 points and a +40 plus/minus in 76 games played.
Protas last appeared on April 4th due to a foot injury but has been travelling with Washington for their first-round series vs. Montreal and is a game-time decision to return for Game 3 on Friday. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in his fourth NHL season in 2024-25, with 30 goals, 60 points and a +40 plus/minus in 76 games played.
Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.
Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will now miss the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.
Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and missed Game 1, but could return to the lineup for Game 2. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.
Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will miss Game 1, but is expected to play at some point in the series. Anthony Beauvillier has been skating in the Capitals' top-6 recently to replace Protas.
Protas was a surprise scratch for Wednesday's game, with the Capitals not announcing his absence until the start of warmups. The team added Protas is listed as day-to-day with the injury.
The lower-body injury held Protas out of last night's game in Edmonton but he is feeling healthy enough to suit up on Thursday. Nicolas Aube-Kubel will sit in his place.
Protas blocked a shot on Saturday and was able to play through the injury on Monday, but will be held out of Wednesday's game in Edmonton. His absence makes way for the return of Nic Dowd (upper-body).
Protas has performed well in a depth role for the Capitals this season and has been rewarded with a five-year, $17-million dollar extension. The 23-year-old Belarusian was the 91st-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and split the last two seasons between Washington and Hershey (AHL) before establishing himself as a full-time NHL player in 2023-24. He has three goals and 15 assists in 42 games this season while playing just over 13 minutes a night.
Protas did not appear in Washington's season opening loss to Pittsburgh but is set to make his season debut Monday vs. Calgary. The 22-year-old forward had four goals, 11 assists, 83 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 58 games in his sophomore season in 2022-23. He is expected to replace Anthony Mantha in the Capitals' lineup Monday.
Protas was the odd man out of the Capitals' roster and has been loaned to Hershey (AHL) Friday as they had to call up a third goaltender due to Darcy Kuemper leaving for the birth of his child. The 22-year-old forward is expected to return to Washington as Kuemper also returns and will be looking to build off his four goal, 11 assist, and 83 SOG campaign in 2022-23 across 58 games played.
