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Trotz comes down hard against Capitals’ ‘unneeded penalties’

Barry Trotz

Barry Trotz

AP

The Washington Capitals suffered a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night and while the result of a preseason game might not matter, how Washington got there troubles new head coach Barry Trotz.

“Way too many penalties, unneeded penalties,” Trotz said, per CSN Washington. “If they happen like that then there will be a lot of guys that won’t be playing.”

Trotz’s 2013-14 Nashville Predators only took 260 minor penalties last season, which was the third least in the league. By contrast, Washington was in the top-10 for most minor penalties taken with 314. In this case, it was the difference as four of Philadelphia’s five goals were scored with the man advantage.

The Capitals also received five fighting majors during the game, but Trotz didn’t have an issue with that.

“They backed each other up and guys stood up for each other, which was exceptional,” Trotz said. “There was no quit.”

This was also a chance for 22-year-old center Evgeny Kuznetsov to make an early impression on Trotz. Kuznetsov excelled in the KHL, but even after playing in 17 games with Washington last season, it remains to be seen how he’ll adapt to the NHL. Kuznetsov didn’t have a significant impact in Monday’s game and Trotz spoke about the need for him to do more on the draw after he won just five of 15 faceoffs.

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