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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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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
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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
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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.
