The 23-year-old has seven points in eight games to open the season for the Capitals.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — After a rough go-of-it in the season opener where every shift for his third line witnessed a goal against, Aliaksei Protas was eager to make a change for the Washington Capitals.
Fast forward seven games later, and he's a top contributor and impact player who's helping lead the way for D.C.'s red-hot start to the 2024-25 regular season while skating on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.
"First game didn't go the way I wanted it, that's for sure. After that, you want to have great game. Especially when you're playing first line, you have to deliver," Protas told The Hockey News.
Through eight games so far this season, Protas is tied for third on the team in scoring with two goals and five assists for seven points, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.
He's logging key minutes at even strength and on the penalty kill, and every second on the ice, he's working for the puck and doing whatever he can to be a threat.
Protas showed exactly that on Tuesday with a three-point night en route to a huge 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. His hockey IQ was also on full display as he made a highlight-reel shorthanded play without his stick, picking one up from the bench en route to the offensive zone before managing a shot on Igor Shesterkin.
"Unreal," head coach Spencer Carbery said of Protas' performance. "He just gave us life."
When it comes to what's helping the 23-year-old take his game to the next level, Protas admitted a lot of it comes from a new mentality and heightened expectations, which have helped him grow his individual game.
"You have to be at your best every game. It's hard to win a game here, and 82 of them are against really good teams," he pointed out. "You have to be on your toes, you have to be your best every game. We're getting better as a team, and I think it's also helped me individually."
Protas didn't change much when it came to his summer training, but he highlighted key areas where he had to improve, including utilizing his 6-foot-6 frame more, winning puck battles and making plays on the fly.
"When you have two guys (on your line) feel the puck, it's very important for you to just try to get open and find the shot," Alex Ovechkin added, citing Protas' impressive play.
The Belarus native is certainly feeling the puck, but he's also all over the ice and doing just about everything he can to contribute.
He's been a workhorse for the Capitals, getting into it in the corners, hustling after loose pucks and using his improved skating and speed to his advantage.
"My work away from the puck and work with the puck, like in the battles, in the corners, puck protection, that's what I focus on," Protas said. "I'm playing with really skilled players, and we have to keep the puck in the o-zone and try to create something. If you want to get (goals), you have to protect it against really great defensemen."
Going forward, Protas says another key area he wants to continue to improve on is his finishing, but other than that, he's been happy with the way his season has started.'
The feeling is mutual for the organization, as Protas has been an x-factor at all strengths.
Now, it's just about consistency.
"The sky's the limit for him in this league," Carbery said.