Aliaksei Protas left Friday night’s game between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks due to what appears to be a lower-body injury.
With 15:38 remaining in the third period, Protas gingerly made his way off the ice and to the Capitals’ locker room. The 24-year-old forward needed help from John Carlson and Brandon Duhaime to get off the ice, not putting much weight on his left skate.
Protas initially went down after clinking skates with Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser.
Head coach Spencer Carbery shared a short update on Protas during his postgame media availability.
“Yeah, [he’s] going to need an evaluation tomorrow, so I’ll know more tomorrow,” Carbery said. “But he is – yeah, I’ll find out tomorrow.”
Protas skated 11:39 of ice time in the 5-3 win, recording two shots on goal. He was in the locker room when Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 894 to tie Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals record, missing the bench-clearing celebration. Protas, though, could be seen taking part in the postgame locker room celebration and group picture.
The big Belorussian has become an integral part of the Capitals this season, recording 66 points (30g, 36a) in 76 games. He ranks third on the team in scoring behind only Alex Ovechkin (68) and Dylan Strome (75).
