The Washington Capitals will be without key forward Aliaksei Protas against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
Protas will miss out due to a lower-body injury. The team announced the news just ahead of the 7 pm puck drop at Capital One Arena.
Protas comes out of the lineup after he missed some of Washington’s loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, after Senators defenseman Artem Zub sent him crashing into the boards with a dangerous trip in Thursday’s first period. The Belarusian winger went skates-first into the boards and was very slow to get up.
The 24-year-old forward did return to the game and skated 14:55 of total ice time in the 4-3 defeat. He scored his 16th goal of the season to tie the game 3-3 with 4:07 remaining in the third period.
After picking up a deft feed from Justin Sourdif in the high slot, Protas beat goaltender Leevi Merilainen high to the glove side.
Capitals’ 1/3 lineup against Blackhawks without Aliaksei Protas
Sourdif, who missed the morning skate and was a game-time decision, will center Washington’s second line against Chicago.
Overall, Protas has 31 points (16g, 15a) in 41 games this season. He has six goals and 11 points in his last eight games.
