ARLINGTON, V.A. — As the Washington Capitals gear up for Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, Aliaksei Protas continues to make strides forward in his recovery and took a big step on Wednesday.

Protas took the ice in a white jersey, an upgrade from the powder blue non-contact he's been wearing, for individual skating work, and then got back on the ice later for additional skills work with Kenny McCudden. It indicates significant progress for Protas, who is recovering from a skate cut to the foot he suffered on April 4.

The 23-year-old is expected to return at some point in the series, but doesn't appear to be in for Game 2 as he didn't take part in the morning skate.

Meanwhile, Alex Alexeyev, who required "significant dental work" after taking a high stick from Jake Evans late in regulation in Game 1, was on the ice and a full go but is wearing a full face shield. He started out with a jaw protector, but didn't like it because it was too foggy.

Alexeyev, who lost three top teeth and chipped three bottom teeth, is filling in on the blue line for Martin Fehervary, who is out for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after undergoing surgery on his meniscus. Behind Alexeyev, Ethan Bear and Dylan McIlrath are the extra defensemen.

How Capitals Plan To Navigate Blue Line Without Fehervary Going Forward ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals were handed a major blow on Tuesday, when the team announced that defenseman Martin Fehervary <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/fehervary-undergoes-surgery-on-meniscus-out-for-remainder-of-capitals-playoff-run">underwent surgery on his meniscus</a> and will miss the remainder of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

That said, there aren't any lineup changes expected for the Capitals. Logan Thompson is projected to start again.

Puck drop for Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens is at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.