Fansided

Building the ultimate NHL playoff team from 2018 contenders

By Connor Ulrey

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: The Washington Capitals celebrate their 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: The Washington Capitals celebrate their 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
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) /

Head Coach

Barry Trotz

It all finally paid off for Capitals head coach Barry Trotz. The former Predators coach has seen great teams in his time at the helm in D.C., but this year everything finally came together.

Trotz is a great coach and has been for his career. After years of attempting to build what Nashville is now, Trotz took over in Washington to coach an all-timer in Alex Ovechkin. After 19 years as a coach, the longest wait, and Trotz finally hoisted his first Cup on Thursday in Vegas.

With three second-round exits in his tenure to his name, Trotz coached them all the way up this posteason and the Capitals put a slow start in Columbus to bed and never looked back.

And the man did do a hot lap before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in Tampa Bay. He just wants it more!

https://twitter.com/BarSouthNCelly/status/999379656150151168

Home/NHL