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Washington Capitals: Barry Trotz Notches 700th Win

By Dylan Botelho

Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz looks on from behind the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz looks on from behind the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Tuesday’s game against the New York Rangers, Barry Trotz secured his 700th career win behind the bench.

Having Barry Trotz as your head coach is a blessing only few fans will ever experience. The Washington Capitals have experienced some of the franchises winningest seasons under Trotz.

The long-time Nashville Predators head coach and now Washington Capitals coach, is undoubtley one the greatest ever.

After 7 seasons as an AHL coach, Trotz broke through to the NHL level with the Nashville Predators in 1998, the team’s inaugural season. Until 2014, Trotz was the only head coach in Predators history.

Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals /

Washington Capitals

Trotz’s Predators struggled early in their history. The team’s first winning season came in the 2003-04 season, when the Predators amassed a 38-29-11-4 record. This was the last year that ties were still a part of the NHL.

Since 2003-04, Trotz-led teams have only missed the playoffs three times. The lockout season of 2012-13 was the last time since 2003-04 that Trotz had a losing record.

In 1,196 games with the Predators, Trotz held a 557-479-60-100 record.

With the Washington Capitals the team has witnessed unprecended success, with a 143-57-26 record in 226 games.

In the 2015-16 season, Trotz won his first Jack Adams award as the league’s best coach.

The Predators and Capitals have not been historically great in the playoffs. One accolade that has eluded Trotz in his hall-of-fame career, is a Stanley Cup victory.

Barry Trotz: Then and now.

Trotz’s First ever career win came on October 13, 1998 with a 3-2 victory against the Florida Panthers, the second game in Predators history. The Predators would finish that season 4th in the Central division with a 28-47-7 record.

Flash forward to Tuesday and 19 years later, Trotz is now sitting at 700 wins. That number puts him at 6th all-time on the NHL’s head coaching list. He’s 27 wins away from passing current Dallas Stars head-coach, Lindy Ruff.

His 700th win came on a big night for the Washington Capitals. It was their first game since acquiring Kevin Shattenkirk.

After a very slow-start in the first period. The Capitals picked up the pace and eventually prevailed over the Rangers, 4-1, thanks to two goals from Marcus Johansson. Far and away the best team in the NHL, it seems as if no one can stop the Capitals.

As mentioned earlier, Trotz has not been able to win a Stanley Cup in his career. Of the 6 coaches who have passed the 700 win plateau, only Trotz and Ruff have not won the Stanley Cup.

If there was ever a time for Trotz to win one, it would be with this year’s Washington Capitals.

The pressure is on with this Capitals team and Trotz knows it. “It’s a privilege to have pressure. That’s the way we look at it,” said Trotz after his 700th victory.

With Shattenkirk (a UFA this offseason), likely the piece that pushes the Capitals over the edge it’s Stanley Cup-or-bust in Washington.

Next: Trade Deadline: Washington Capitals Standing Pat?

A Stanley Cup is all Trotz needs to solidify is spot atop the NHL’s greats. It’s all he has left to accomplish in a story-book career behind the bench.

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