NHL News: Capitals’ Aliaksei Protas makes sincere admission after Game 1 OT defeat to Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals stumbled out of the gate in their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, falling 2-1 in overtime on home ice Tuesday night. Despite a strong individual showing from Aliaksei Protas, who opened the scoring in the second period, the team’s overall execution left much to be desired.

In a playoff setting where intensity and urgency typically reach their peak, the Capitals delivered one of their most subdued performances of the year. They managed just 13 shots on goal, struggled with zone exits, and were visibly outpaced by a more aggressive Hurricanes squad.

The game-winner came just over three minutes into overtime, when defenseman Jaccob Slavin rifled a shot from the blue line that threaded its way through multiple bodies before finding the back of the net. It was a deflating conclusion to a game where Washington had little margin for error. Though the final play seemed to carry a degree of misfortune, the Capitals’ lack of cohesion throughout regulation left them vulnerable.

Protas’ admission

After the defeat, Protas, who recently returned from a foot injury, reflected on the broader challenge ahead for Washington. “It’s only the first game, but it’s going to be a long series,” said Protas postgame. “We’ve got a second game on Thursday. We’ve got to be ready. It’s only the start—frustrating, but we know we’ll get better.” His words echoed both disappointment and resolve, underlining the team’s belief that this series is far from over, even after a worrying start.

A rising contributor in Protas

Tuesday marked only the second appearance for Protas since recovering from a skate cut earlier in April. Logging just over 16 minutes of ice time, he appeared sharper than expected and made his presence felt with the game’s opening goal. His ability to generate offense could prove vital if Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome continue to face tight coverage, as they did in Game 1.

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Head coach Spencer Carbery now faces the task of adjusting his lineup and systems to avoid falling into a 0-2 series hole. With Game 2 set for Thursday night, urgency is growing.