Aliaksei Protas Placed on Injured Reserve with Lower-Body Injury

Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to January 1st. He has already missed the last two games due to the injury and will be unavailable for Wednesday's game against Dallas. However, Protas was seen on the ice for the Capitals' morning skate, suggesting a potential return to action sooner than expected. Brett Leason was recalled from AHL Hershey to provide depth.