Aliaksei Protas

In the thick of WSH at BOS, Caps' Protas buries one on Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman, tilting the building toward chaos. Swayman's been a wall this year, but Protas finds the soft spot everyone scouts for in these playoff-style grudge matches. This goal shifts momentum in a game where every inch matters for both playoff hopefuls.

Aliaksei Protas sits out for personal reasons as the Capitals roll out lineup changes to face the Mammoth, forcing coaches to shuffle their forward corps on the fly. This absence spotlights Washington's depth chart weaknesses at a pivotal juncture, with role players stepping into bigger roles. The tweaks raise questions about how the Caps adapt their game plan without him in a contest that could swing momentum.

Pierre-Luc Dubois finally steps back onto the ice for the Capitals after missing 47 games due to abdominal and adductor surgery, slotting in with Protas and Wilson on a line that coach Spencer Carbery hopes brings instant depth. The 27-year-old center admits he felt rusty in his return against Nashville, but he chips in a goal and assist to help Washington snag a 4-2 win before the Olympic break.