Protas was cut with a skate during a game on April 4 and did not return until Washington’s Game 5 win over the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Protas helped the Capitals close out the series, playing 16:48 at right wing on the fourth line with Brandon Duhaime and center Nic Dowd. Protas did not have a point or a shot on goal, but he was able to shake off some of the rust and his “heavy” legs from going three-and-a-half weeks without playing a game.