Young veteran beats his longest point streaks

On Friday in Anaheim, Protas jammed home a greasy rebound to briefly put Washington up 3-2. The Ducks answered, then took a 4-3 shootout to end the Capitals six game heater.

It was classic big man stuff, Protas parked at the far post, winning body position and snapping the loose puck past Ville Husso.

Even the league's social crew could not resist, sharing the clip with a playful line about a PRO tas rebound.

The goal was his ninth of the season and extended his point streak to five games. He came into Anaheim with eight goals and ten assists in twenty six games, plus a plus twenty one rating that hardly screams passenger.

Team staff pointed out that this five game roll matches the heaters he put together last season in January and March. It reads less like a bender now and more like Protas' new baseline.

At twenty four, the six foot six Belarusian is finally marrying that frame with real touch. He is driving play at five on five and still helping on the penalty kill.

Drafted ninety first overall in 2019, Protas was billed as a long term project for Washington.

Then last season he erupted for thirty goals and a showy hat trick in Anaheim, suddenly looking like a top six fixture.

Just a couple weeks ago there was a lot of talk about Protas searching for his full game again. Coaches pointed to his skating and reads slipping, not just a cold shooting percentage.

This mini streak feels like his answer, a reminder that when the legs and details are right, everything follows.

Then his size and hands turn the crease into a matchup nightmare for tired defenders.

The road trip is over and the point streak lives, even if the win streak died in a shootout.