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Washington Capitals: Top 5 players to watch this preseason

By Michael Marzzacco

ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Aliaksei Protas, 91st overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Aliaksei Protas, 91st overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#3 Aliaksei Protas

Drafting Aliaksei Protas didn’t come naturally. Instead, the Capitals had to trade up with the New Jersey Devils for the third round draft pick. They gave up their fourth rounder (118th pick) for the late third round, selecting Protas at 91st overall.

At 6’5” and 192 pounds, teammates gave him the nickname the “Viper”. He was teammates with Washington’s second round pick Brett Leason of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders. In fact, they even shared a line together and helped lead the Raiders to the WHL championship.

Protas had back-to-back hat tricks during that playoff run. During the regular season, Protas scored 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points. In the playoffs, he added 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists).

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Aliaksei Protas, 91st overall pick of the Washington Capitals, stand on the draft floor during Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Aliaksei Protas, 91st overall pick of the Washington Capitals, stand on the draft floor during Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Protas was one of the best players in Washington’s 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks on Monday night. In that game, Protas recorded three points with a goal and a pair of assists. He was simply all over the ice.

https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1173754539738112000

Protas assisted on Tom Wilson’s game-winning goal as well as Travis Boyd’s goal on the power play. Protas centered the fourth line next to Beck Malenstyn and Joe Snively. His goal came in the third period using his speed to get the puck up the ice, crashing the net and burying a pass from Malenstyn.

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