ARLINGTON, V.A. — When evaluating Aliaksei and Ilya Protas' play to start the season, Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was careful not to group them together.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Spirits were high as the Washington Capitals took the ice for their second-to-last informal skate before the official start of training camp, with Alex Ovechkin officially joining the mix for the first time and the intensity being kicked into higher gear.

As the Washington Capitals continue to put work in ahead of camp with informal skates, the group continues to get bigger, as the Protas brothers joined the workouts on Thursday.

The Washington Capitals saw two of their stars return to the ice in Russia on Saturday, as Alex Ovechkin and Aliaksei Protas skated in the annual "Match of the Year" — and helped their team to a huge victory.

The game usually pits NHL and KHL stars against each other, but teams will be made via a draft this year.

The Capitals winger felt that his game took a bit of a step back, but is eager to prove what he can do.

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The Washington Capitals (41-30-9) remain alive in the playoff race for now. They got the job done with a 6-3 […]

The Capitals will see both brothers play on the same line on Wednesday in Toronto.