The Washington Capitals will be without top-six winger Aliaksei Protas on Wednesday night against the Utah Mammoth, with the team listing his absence as personal reasons.
Why are the Capitals without Aliaksei Protas against the Mammoth?
The Capitals announced that Aliaksei Protas will miss the game for personal reasons. No additional details were provided beyond the team’s designation.
In 59 games this season, the 25-year-old forward has produced 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists). The game will be the fourth he has missed this season.
Protas has been described as one of the Capitals’ top contributors since returning after the Olympic break. Over the three games since that return, he has four points (one goal, three assists).
What lineup changes are the Capitals making with Protas out?
With Protas out of the lineup, Hendrix Lapierre is set to come back in and center the fourth line. Connor McMichael and Nic Dowd have moved up a line, and Justin Sourdif will play on the wing of Dowd’s trio.
Who else is unavailable for the Capitals?
The Capitals will also be without defenseman John Carlson, who will miss a fourth straight game because of a lower-body injury.
