Protas scored two goals on four shots in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Kings.
Protas opened and closed the scoring Sunday. His first goal came midway through the first period, and he added an empty-netter in the final minute of the third to finish off the win. The 23-year-old has six goals and two assists over nine outings in December as he continues to maintain a top-six spot with little power-play time. Protas has matched his career high with 29 points, doing so in just 33 games this year compared to 78 appearances in 2023-24. He's added 63 shots on net and a plus-18 rating.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Back on scoresheet in victory
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Protas found the back of the net on three shots and went plus-2 in 18:00 of ice time in Friday's 3-1 win over the Hurricanes.
Protas opened the scoring late in the first period by deflecting an Andrew Mangiapane shot past Pyotr Kochetkov. The goal snapped a three-game point drought for Protas. The 23-year-old is just two points shy of matching his career high that he set last season. The left-shot winger ranks third on the Caps in points, and he's up to 12 goals, 27 points, six PIM, 59 shots on goal and a plus-16 rating through 32 appearances. Protas is shooting at a 20.3 percent clip, though, so he could see some regression in that area over the course of the campaign.
Protas scored twice in a 2-1 win over Columbus on Thursday.
Protas has five points (three goals, two assists) during a three-game point streak. He also has a remarkable 26 points, including 11 goals, over 28 games this season. Those 26 points tie him with Connor McMichael for second on the team in scoring. Protas has been a revelation on the Capitals' top line this season, and he's continued to score without Alex Ovechkin (leg) driving the play. Protas is a worthy fantasy acquisition.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Two helpers Saturday
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Protas notched two assists and recorded three shots in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.
Protas has cracked the scoresheet in four of his last six appearances, notching two multi-point games in that span, and the 23-year-old is well on his way to posting a career-best season. With 24 points (nine goals and 15 assists) in only 27 contests, Protas is just five points from matching the career high he set in 78 appearances last season. His role as a top-six forward suggests he should continue to find ample opportunities to produce, and it wouldn't be surprising if Protas establishes a new career high in points before the end of the calendar year.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Seals win in Toronto
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Protas scored an empty-net goal on three shots in 15:21 of ice time Friday in a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.
Protas provided the Caps with an insurance marker at 19:03 of the final frame. The Belarusian winger is eight points shy of setting a new career high, and his 15:10 of average ice time in 2024-25 is his highest mark in four years as a professional. Protas is fourth on Washington in scoring -- the 23-year-old has provided nine goals, 13 assists and a plus-11 rating through 26 games.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Pots first career shortie
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Protas scored a shorthanded goal and added an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.
The 2019 third-round pick got back on track after being held off the scoresheet for three straight games. The shortie was the first of Protas' career, while the multi-point effort was his sixth in the last 15 contests -- a stretch in which he's racked up an impressive seven goals and 16 points.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Stays warm with goal
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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: Pockets helper
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Protas notched an assist and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Flyers.
Protas helped out on a Nic Dowd tally in the second period. Through six contests this season, Protas has a goal, three assists, nine shots on net and a plus-1 rating. The 23-year-old has played on the top line at even strength, but his scoring upside is likely to remain somewhat capped since he isn't receiving regular power-play usage.
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Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Finds twine in win
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Protas scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights.
Protas was bumped up to the top line at even strength, logging 15:12 of ice time Tuesday compared to 10:28 in Saturday's season opener. The 23-year-old forward cashed in with the game-winning goal at 5:16 of the second period, set up by linemate Alex Ovechkin. It's likely the Capitals' lines aren't yet settled, but it's a good sign Protas is in the mix for top-six minutes, though he would likely benefit further from a power-play role. The forward broke out with 29 points in 78 regular-season outings in 2023-24.
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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: Not playing Friday
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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.
