The Capitals have been handed a proper reality check by the Montreal Canadiens. After dominating the regular season, the Capitals suffered a thrashing defeat 6-3 in Game 3 of the first-round tie of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although the Capitals won the opening two games, the Canadiens made a strong comeback in Game 3, backed by a raucous home crowd at the Bell Centre to keep their hopes alive. At a time when the Capitals are looking to put an end to their opponents’ comeback, the hockey world received a cryptic update about one of their star performers: Aliaksei Protas.
Ahead of Game 3 taking place later today, Capitals star Aliaksei Protas remained a game-time decision to make a comeback on the ice, as reported by Renaud Lavoie on X. The 24-year-old suffered a skate-cut injury earlier this month and was forced to sit out of the last nine games that the Capitals have played. Nonetheless, showing signs of a comeback, Protas completed a full skate with his teammates yesterday. Additionally, head coach Spencer Carbery also briefed the media about Protas’ availability.
However, according to several reports, Protas didn’t get an extra morning skate, and he remains a game-time decision for the Capitals. Further, Carbery also sounded confident about Protas, saying, “Yeah, he’s full-go in practice, so we’ll just see tomorrow. Everything is looking good, he’s out there taking contact and that, so we’ll just see tomorrow.”
No extra at @Capitals morning skate for Aliaksei Protas this morning. Game time decision.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 27, 2025
Apart from the morning skate, Aliaksei Protas also took part in light battle drills, as noted by Caps reporter Tarik El-Bashir. Additionally, he wore shot-blockers in his shoes, signaling that he was rearing to go for a comeback. However, he has yet to get back to 100% fitness and remains a game-time decision for the Capitals to take. Despite missing several games of late, Protas has already accumulated 30 goals and 36 assists, with a plus/minus of 40, which is the third best in the league.
Even as Protas is nearing a return, there could be many challenges going forward. Ahead of his comeback, Carbery made clear his expectations on his return to the ice.
Capitals coach opens up about Aliaksei Protas’ comeback
It had been quite the dream season for Aliaksei Protas until his injury threw a wrench in the works. He’s been a key offensive contributor for the Caps all year, and those 30 goals and 36 assists become even more impressive when you take into account the fact that he had never scored more than 6 goals and 23 assists in his past 3 seasons with the team. Ahead of another blockbuster night at the Bell Centre, the Caps could certainly use his services.
And even though his return isn’t 100% confirmed, the expectation is that he’ll be back for this series at some point. “Yeah, I think he absolutely — I would expect him to play and we’ll just see when that is,” said Carbery. “Might be tonight, might be Game 2, we’ll see.” While the Game 2 prediction didn’t pan out, tonight is another question entirely.
Protas has been a crucial player in the Capitals’ lineup, and the effects of his absence were seen during their last few games. Notably, the Capitals lost three out of their last five regular-season games, during which Protas didn’t play.
With all said and done, Protas could potentially be seen in action later today. It remains a match-time decision and the Capitals fans would hope to see their star player back fit for action.
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