Aliaksei Protas\u00a0looks to be ready for a return to the Washington Capitals\u2019 lineup after a three-game absence with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n
Caps head coach Spencer Carbery labeled Protas a game-time decision ahead of the team\u2019s game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. The Belarusian winger was again a full participant in the team\u2019s morning skate, and Carbery previously hinted that both Protas and Tom Wilson could dress on the current two-game road trip<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find out [if Protas is good to go],\u201d Carbery said pregame<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ll find out this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n Protas was injured against the Ottawa Senators on January 1<\/a> after defenseman Artem Zub tripped him, sending him careening into the boards feet first. The Capitals have removed the 25-year-old forward from injured reserve, swapping him with Wilson, who is now on IR retroactively.<\/p>\n Wilson will not be ready in time to play in Chicago, as he has not taken contact in practice since suffering his injury last weekend. However, the 31-year-old winger did join his teammates for the morning skate, which was a step forward in his return progress as he had previously been coming off the ice before drills began.<\/p>\n Outside of Protas\u2019s likely inclusion, the Capitals will also be making a change on defense. According to the Washington Post\u2019s Bailey Johnson<\/a>, Declan Chisholm will get a sweater for the first time since December 23, as Dylan McIlrath, who played just 6:07 of ice time on Wednesday, returns to the press box.<\/p>\n