Aliaksei Protas continued the hottest season of his career with a stellar performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night. Protas was the Capitals’ lone scorer in the 2-1 victory, pushing the Caps to another comeback win with his first multi-goal game and his first overtime winner.
After the Capitals entered the third period down a goal, Protas wasted no time in evening the score, snapping in a pass from Pierre-Luc Dubois just 31 seconds into the frame.
Protas completed the Caps’ comeback effort in overtime, picking up the puck from Dylan Strome and taking his time before shooting from the right circle to beat goaltender Jet Greaves and continue Washington’s historic 10-game road win streak.
“Just a good flash screen by Stromer,” Protas said of the goal. “I got some time in there and I decided I’ve got to shoot it even if I miss it. [Chychrun was] coming down the ice so he could grab it and I thought it was a pretty safe play and it worked out pretty well.”
Head coach Spencer Carbery praised Protas’ ability to score on a night where his teammates struggled to break the ice.
“He was a difference maker,” Carbery said postgame. “And that’s what you need in these games. You need someone to step up and make a huge play. Dubie obviously makes the big play on the entry to find Pro there. But as you can see, we weren’t shooting pucks into the back of the net tonight. And so even the finish there, Dubie makes the entry play. But Pro, to finish in that spot right there, we needed someone to step up and shoot one past Greaves and he did exactly that. And then the overtime
Protas’ effort earned him not only First Star of the Game honors, but also the Capitals’ postgame golden chain, awarded to him by Tom Wilson.
“Way to stay with it boys,” Protas said in his locker room speech. “It’s fun and pleasure going out there and battle with you every night, so let’s keep it rolling.”
At age 23, Protas now has 11 goals this fall, nearly doubling his career high of 6 goals (2023-24) in just 28 games. He’s tied for second on the Capitals in points with 26 (11g, 15a) despite not scoring a single point on the power play. Protas’ scoring prowess at five-on-five has been nearly unrivaled this season: among all players with 10 or more games played, Protas’ 3.52 points per 60 minutes ranks second in the NHL behind only teammate Alex Ovechkin (4.46 points/60).
Dubois, who played on Protas’ line in the latter half of the win, had nothing but good things to say about his teammate’s career year.
“Pro’s been having a great season,” he said. “I don’t even know how many points he has now, and he doesn’t even play on the power play. He’s just relentless. Plays well on the penalty kill, he’s just such a smart player. And he’s sneaky, one of our most valuable players every night. We can count on him in every situation, so he’s been fun to play with.”
