Capitals' Protas thought he could only score 30 goals on Xbox

Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas is easily the NHL's most surprising 30-goal scorer this season. Even Protas thought the milestone was only attainable for him in video games.

"Maybe Xbox, like NHL 25," Protas said after potting his 30th in an 8-5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. "Pretty special, so happy. Thanks to the boys."

Protas was also asked about Alex Ovechkin scoring his 890th career goal, putting "The Great 8" just five away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record.

"It's an insane number," Protas said. "I don't even think I'll ever get that in NHL 25. Maybe 26."

Protas entered the 2024-25 campaign with 13 goals in 169 career contests, topping out at six goals last season. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder has also maintained a strong two-way game, ranking tied for first in the NHL with a plus-40 rating this season.

"I'm super proud of him," teammate Tom Wilson said of Protas. "He's a guy that has earned everything. He's come from a part of the world that is very far away, from a town that you have to work really hard to get out of to get to the NHL. Obviously, him and his brother have done an amazing job."

Protas, 24, hails from Vitebsk, Belarus. He was a third-round pick by the Capitals in 2019. Washington drafted his brother, Ilya, in the third round in 2024.