Aliaksei Protas: another big man could complicate the CH’s life tomorrow

However, the Caps could also bank on a backup who has yet to play in the series: Aliaksei Protas. The forward, who missed the first three games of the series due to a cut on his foot, seems very close to a return.

We saw him practicing with the rest of the group today, and he really seems to be ready to play. Spencer Carbery wouldn’t confirm anything (obviously), but no one would be surprised to see him play tomorrow, say.

And that, for the Tricolore, could be problematic. Protas scored 30 goals and 66 points this season, but more importantly, he’s six feet, six inches tall and weighs 247 pounds.

He’s a behemoth.

If Protas plays tomorrow, the Capitals are likely to be even more physical than they have been since the start of the series. And considering how intense Game #3 was at this level, guys like Josh Anderson and Arber Xhekaj could have their work cut out for them tomorrow.

To be continued… but the CH will have to be ready if Protas is in uniform tomorrow. And that seems, more than ever, a real possibility.

In gusto

– Charlie Lindgren knows the atmosphere will be something tomorrow. And more importantly, he’s talking like a goalie who expects to play…

– What a story!

– Reinforcement for Laval.

– Gabriel Landeskog will be in the Avalanche top-6 tonight.

– Miro Heiskanen is not yet ready to return.