What Went Into Capitals’ Decision To Go With Protas At Center & Recall Dubé To Fill Dowd’s Void

The Capitals will be without Dowd for at least the next two games.

The Washington Capitals are in a tough spot at a crucial point of the season, as top defensive center Nic Dowd is out for at least the next two games with an upper-body injury. In turn, head coach Spencer Carbery has taken an interesting direction to fill his void.

Instead of recalling another center like Hendrix Lapierre, Washington elected to recall Hershey Bears right winger Pierrick Dubé and place Aliaksei Protas in the middle.

For Carbery, it was an off-the-board move, but one that makes the most sense for his group.

First off, it’s a reward for Dubé, who has shined this season with the Bears and is among the AHL’s top goal scorers with 24 goals in 50 games.

“He’s having a fantastic year,” Carbery said on Wednesday, adding, “He’s done a tremendous job… felt like he’s earned the opportunity.”

It also gives the Capitals a different look up front, which could help continue to spark the offense. Tuesday’s win marked the first time since October that D.C. managed at least six goals in a game, and giving the lines a new look may help provide a bigger spark, especially with a scorer like Dubé getting his NHL opportunity.

Then, of course, it’s a chance for Protas, who has points in back-to-back games following a lengthy point drought, to play his natural position and continue to prove himself to the coaching staff. 

“It’s something I’ve had in the back of my mind throughout the year is getting a good, solid look at Protas down the middle and seeing what that looks like,” Carbery said. “It’s him taking ownership in that role and being real solid.”

The 23-year-old is among the team’s assist leaders and has taken his game to the next level under Carbery, who believes that extra responsibility at center will continue his upward trend.

“It’s unfortunate the circumstances, but I think it’s good timing. His game’s in a pretty good spot, we’ve worked on incorporating little things into his game, I would say little focuses, and not throwing it all at him at once… way comes with playing center, we’ve worked a lot with him on awareness, on footwork, on his net-front stuff.”