Aliaksei Protas News

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.

Protas had three goals, seven assists, 55 SOG. and six PIMs through 43 games with the Capitals but has been reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) on Tuesday. He returns to Hershey, where he had two goals and five points across eight games played earlier in the year.

Protas was returned to Hershey (AHL) for the NHL all-star break to stay fresh but has been recalled Friday to Washington. The 22-year-old has three goals, seven assists, 54 SOG, and a +1 plus/minus through 42 games this season.

Protas will have a chance to play in the AHL for the Hershey Bears (AHL) during the NHL all-star break after being loaned down Wednesday. The 22-year-old has three goals, seven assists, 54 SOG, and four PIMs through 42 games so far this season and will hope to be back up post-all-star break.

Protas was selected No.91 overall in 2019 and Monday would be his NHL debut if he gets into the lineup in Tampa. The 6-foot-6, 210 lbs. forward has scored three goals with eight assists (11 points) in 22 career AHL games.