Aliaksei Protas scores both goals in the Capitals’ 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets, including the winner in overtime: “He made the difference”

Aliaksei Protas continued the hottest season of his career with a standout performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. Protas was the Capitals’ lone scorer in the 2-1 win and helped the Caps to another comeback victory with his first multi-goal game and his first game-winner in overtime.

After the Capitals entered the third period down one goal, Protas wasted no time in tying the score, knocking down a pass from Pierre-Luc Dubois just 31 seconds into the game.

Protas completed the Caps’ comeback in overtime, picking up the puck from Dylan Strome and biding his time before firing from the right circle to beat goaltender Jet Greaves and extend Washington’s historic 10-game road win streak.

“Just a good lightning umbrella from Stromer,” said Protas about the goal. “I had some time there and decided I had to shoot it even if I missed it. (Chychrun came) across 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 made the difference,” Carbery said after the game. “And that’s what you need in these games. They need someone to come to power and make a grand entrance. Dubie is obviously making a big attempt to find Pro there. But as you can see, we didn’t put any pucks in the net tonight. And so Dubie also ensures that the entry plays at the finish. But Pro, to finish right there we needed someone to step up and shoot one past Greaves and he did just that. And then extra time (goal) is just an isolated case (game).”

Protas’ performance not only earned him the First Star of the Game award, but also the Capitals’ post-game gold chain, presented to him by Tom Wilson.

“We’re sticking with it, boys,” Protas said in his locker room speech. “It’s fun and enjoyable to go out and fight with you every night, so let’s keep it going.”

At age 23, Protas has now scored 11 goals this fall, nearly doubling his career-high of 6 goals (2023-24) in just 28 games. He is second on the Capitals with 26 points (11g, 15a) despite not scoring a single point on the power play. Protas’ five-on-five scoring output has been nearly unrivaled this season: Among all players with 10 or more games played, Protas ranks second in the NHL with 3.52 points per 60 minutes, behind only his teammate Alex Ovechkin (4.46 points/60). .

Dubois, who played alongside Protas in the second half of the win, had nothing but good things to say about his teammate’s career year.

“Pro had 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 a smart player. And he’s sneaky, one of our most valuable players every night. We can rely on him in any situation, so it was fun playing with him.”