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Capitals’ Barry Trotz burns up the rink with hot lap in practice

By Michelle Bruton

ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 02: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals looks on during practice for the 2018 Coors Light Stadium Series at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on March 2, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 02: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals looks on during practice for the 2018 Coors Light Stadium Series at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on March 2, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz laced up his skates to inspire his team at practice Wednesday morning, skating the now traditional “hot lap” in place of Alex Ovechkin.

It’s been many moons since Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz was a player for the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats, but he showed on Wednesday morning that he’s still got it — kind of.

The “hot lap” superstition at Capitals practice is not a new one, but Coach Trotz skating it is. Jay Beagle is the Capital who used to perform the ritual the morning of away games, taking the hot lap prior to the team’s morning skate.

In Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex Ovechkin took over the tradition.

Now he’s passed the torch to Trotz…likely just this once.

Go, Coach, Go! Who knew that after all these years, Trotz could still skate like that? We swear we saw a trail of melted ice in his wake as he burned up the rink.

“They called my number, and at this time of year, you’re all-in,” Trotz said after the inspiring skate, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. “I was a little bit worried about the turns because the rudders haven’t been sharpened all year. You didn’t see a lot of crossovers there. I used body mass and weight to dig in there.”

The Capitals looked red-hot in Game 6, shutting out the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0. They’re locked in ahead of Game 7…and the fire appears to be coming straight from the top.

Sure, if the Capitals win Game 7 tonight to advance to the first Stanley Cup Final of the Ovechkin era, one could say it’s because they’re playing physical hockey, taking their shots and playing excellent defense.

One could also say it’s because of Trotz’s inspiring performance this morning.

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