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Capitals’ Trotz: ‘They were trying to make a statement and we responded’

Washington Capitals v New Jersey Devils

Barry Trotz

NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals weren’t going to be pushed around. Actually, by the end of the night, they were pushing around the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rivalry Night between the two clubs was a physical affair. It started early with a spirited fight involving Tom Wilson and Zack Sill, and boiled over in the third period when Alex Ovechkin collided along the boards with Christian Ehrhoff, which eventually set off a melee.

Washington’s head coach Barry Trotz praised his team for its response in a physical game, which the Capitals also dominated on the scoreboard in a 4-0 victory over the visiting Penguins. Ovechkin had a pair of goals and now leads the league in that category.

“I think you know obviously they were coming in our building, and I think they were trying to make a statement and we responded,” said Trotz, as per the Capitals’ website.

“We tightened our game up and we had everyone do a really good job tonight in all aspects of the game.”

Braden Holtby made 27 saves for his fifth shutout of the season. The Capitals are now three points back of the Penguins for second in the Metropolitan Division.

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