Protas scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 6-2 win over Utah.
Protas tallied midway through the third period for the final goal of the game. The 23-year-old has two goals and four assists over his last five contests, going plus-6 in that span. His lack of a power-play role and a 24.1 shooting percentage are concerning for sustainability, but Protas is at seven goals, 11 helpers, 29 shots on net and a plus-12 rating while seeing top-line usage at even strength. This looks to be his breakout campaign, so he should be rostered in most fantasy formats, at least until his scoring rate drops.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Supplies two assists in win
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Protas registered two assists and a plus-3 rating in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Golden Knights.
Protas had helpers on Jakub Vrana's goal in the second period, which was the game-winner, and Alex Ovechkin's empty-netter in the third. This was Protas' fifth multi-point effort, all of which have come since Oct. 29. The 23-year-old forward is up to six goals, 11 assists, 27 shots on net and a plus-11 rating over 17 outings this season. He's looking steady in a top-line role at even strength and should have no problem earning a career year.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Two-point effort in OT loss
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Protas scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.
His tally late in the second period gave Washington a 3-1 lead, but the game was all Toronto down the stretch. Protas is capitalizing on his spot at even strength alongside Alex Ovechkin, and the 23-year-old has four multi-point performances in the last eight games, piling up five goals and 11 points during that time. However, that production has come without the benefit of consistent power-play shifts, and Protas' 23.1 percent shooting is unsustainable.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Tallies in Wednesday's win
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Protas scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Predators.
Protas bounced back from a scoreless outing Sunday versus the Hurricanes, tallying his fourth goal and eighth point in the last five games Wednesday. The 23-year-old is up to five tallies, seven helpers, 20 shots on net and a plus-8 rating through 12 contests. He saw just 11:40 of ice time Wednesday but remains on the top line at even strength.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Notches two points in blowout win
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Protas tallied a goal and an assist while logging 15:19 of ice time during Saturday's 7-2 win over the Blue Jackets.
Protas has three consecutive multi-point outings and has managed 11 points in 10 games to start the season. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound winger has flourished since being promoted to the top line alongside Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome. Protas could break out offensively in 2024-25 if he can maintain a top-six role on the scorching-hot Capitals.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Logs two-pointer in win
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Protas scored a goal on his only shot and logged an assist in Thursday's 6-3 win over Montreal.
Protas attempted a pass to Dylan Strome in the slot, but the puck deflected off Jayden Struble's stick and into the net for Washington's fifth goal. He later assisted on an Alex Ovechkin marker, giving Protas two consecutive multi-point nights. Protas has nine points (three goals, six assists) through his first nine outings.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Racks up three points in win
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Protas scored a goal on three shots, added two assists and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.
Protas helped out on both of Alex Ovechkin's first-period tallies, then added a goal of his own in the second that stood as the game-winner. This was Protas' first multi-point effort of the campaign. The 23-year-old is seeing top-line usage at even strength, though he's not yet routinely in the power-play mix. He has two goals, five assists, 16 shots on net and a plus-4 rating over eight contests. Protas doesn't play with an edge, but he's got potential as a scoring-only option for fantasy managers.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Shortie stands as winner
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Protas scored a shorthanded goal Saturday in a 2-0 win over the Bruins.
Protas was credited with the game-winner in Saturday's preseason finale. He won a faceoff in the left circle, and the puck ricocheted off the linesman's skate into the low slot, where he jumped on it and lifted a shot over Brandon Bussi's glove. Protas projects to be a third-line winger in Washington, which would limit his fantasy upside.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Nabs assist in Game 4
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Protas posted an assist in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 4.
Protas picked up two assists, eight shots on net, four hits and a plus-1 rating over four playoff contests. The 23-year-old forward took a step up in 2023-24 with 29 points, 113 shots on net and 49 blocked shots over 78 regular-season outings. Protas should continue to fill a full-time NHL role in 2024-25 after signing a five-year extension with the Capitals back in January.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Notches assist in Game 1
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Set to return Sunday
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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.
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Unavailable versus Oilers
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Notches two points
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Goal, assist Saturday
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Inks extension
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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.
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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.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Contributes two helpers
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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.
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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.
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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.
