Protas Bros. Power Capitals' Victory Over Penguins

Washington's young stars shine in crucial win over division rival

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game in motion, with players and the puck rendered as overlapping, fragmented shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the intensity and strategic depth of the sport.The Protas brothers' dynamic performance fractures the traditional hockey narrative, revealing the raw energy and strategic complexity of a crucial Metropolitan Division matchup.Today in Pittsburgh

The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Saturday, with brothers Ilya and Aliaksei Protas playing key roles. Ilya scored his first NHL goal and added two assists, while Aliaksei also found the back of the net. The win helps the Capitals' playoff chances as they chase the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Why it matters

This game was crucial for the Capitals' postseason aspirations, as they look to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Metropolitan Division. The emergence of the Protas brothers as offensive threats provides a boost to Washington's lineup and could be a sign of things to come for the franchise's future.

The details

The Capitals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second period when Aliaksei Protas scored on a pass from his brother Ilya. The Penguins tied it up, but Washington regained the lead on goals from Ryan Leonard and Tom Wilson. Pittsburgh made it a one-goal game, but Leonard and Ilya Protas scored to give the Capitals some breathing room. Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal to seal the 6-3 victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Aliaksei Protas scored the opening goal at 1:39 of the second period.
  • Ilya Protas scored a power-play goal at 5:56 of the third period.

The players

Ilya Protas

A young forward for the Washington Capitals who scored his first NHL goal and added two assists in the game.

Aliaksei Protas

The brother of Ilya Protas, also a forward for the Capitals who scored a goal in the game.

Ryan Leonard

A Capitals forward who scored two goals in the victory.

Tom Wilson

A Capitals forward who scored a goal and added an assist.

Arturs Silovs

The Penguins' goaltender who made 25 saves in the game.

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What’s next

The Capitals will continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Penguins will look to get healthy with the return of their injured stars.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Capitals' depth and the potential of their young players, particularly the Protas brothers. Their performance was crucial in securing a crucial win that keeps Washington in the hunt for a playoff berth in the competitive Metropolitan Division.