Capitals star Alex Ovechkin makes sure former coach Barry Trotz enjoys tribute video

Former Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz was back in town Friday night with the New York Islanders.

And though the Capitals were honoring defenseman Brooks Orpik before the game for playing in 1,000 NHL games, they also made sure to honor Trotz in his first visit to Capital One Arena this season.

After all, he was the first coach to lead the Capitals to a Stanley Cup championship, doing so last June before he left the team after being unable to come to terms on a new contract. He signed with the Islanders soon after.

So Trotz got his turn in the spotlight with a video tribute during the first TV timeout, earning a standing ovation from Capitals fans.

Trotz was touched, of course.

"It was good," he told reporters. "My heart got full of all the good memories. I was trying not to look too much. I was getting pretty close to that sensitive side of myself, but it was extremely well done."

But even as touching was Capitals star Alex Ovechkin leaning over his bench to make sure his former coach enjoyed the tribute.

"Ovi is awesome," Trotz said. "He was asking me about the video: 'Do you like it?' And I did."

The two had a special bond and Ovechkin gave Trotz a big hug when the Capitals gave Trotz his Stanley Cup ring during Washington's visit to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in November.

Trotz said during that visit that he thought the Capitals had the talent to repeat, but Washington would "have to go through the Island."

That could very well be the case. After the Islanders beat the Capitals 2-0 for their fourth win in a row (and the Capitals' fourth loss in a row), they moved into first place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Islanders, who lost star center John Tavares to free agency in July, are doing it with defense, leading the league in goals-against average. They held the Capitals to 19 shots.

"It really was a sort of identity game for us," Trotz said.