Capitals promote rookie forward Protas for playoff push

The Capitals are adding firepower for their playoff push. Washington recalled rookie Ilya Protas — the younger brother of Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas — from the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Monday.

The younger Protas could make his NHL debut during Washington’s next game: a matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

The Capitals drafted Ilya Protas, 19, during the third round of the 2024 NHL draft. He has spent the last two seasons moving through Washington’s affiliates. 

This year, he has led the Hershey Bears with 62 points (28 goals and 34 assists) in 66 games. He leads all AHL rookies in goals on the season.

Last season, he notched 124 points across 61 games with the OHL’s Ontario Spitfires.

The native of Belarus joins a Capitals team in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. After a loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday, Washington sat three points behind the Ottawa Senators for a wild-card spot with four games remaining.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.