Aliaksei Protas celebrated his first NHL hat trick while the Washington Capitals triumphed over the Anaheim Ducks with a score of 7-4, marking their fifth consecutive win. Alex Ovechkin showcased his playmaking abilities with three assists, inching closer to becoming the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, now only nine goals behind Wayne Gretzky's 894. Pierre-Luc Dubois contributed significantly with one goal and two assists. The Ducks tied the game at 4-4 before the Capitals surged ahead with three goals in the final minutes, including a decisive empty-netter from Protas.

Key performances also came from Frank Vatrano, Drew Helleson, and Pavel Mintyukov, each providing a goal and an assist for Anaheim. However, it was Protas’ standout performance that caught the spotlight, as he recorded his fifth multi-goal game in the last 37 outings. The Capitals' offensive depth was highlighted by contributions from Nic Dowd and Anthony Beauvillier, while Logan Thompson made 25 saves in net. The Capitals look to continue their momentum against the Kings on Thursday, while the Ducks prepare for a match against Utah.