Trotz praises Capitals' leadership for turning series around

Barry Trotz is a man of few words and even fewer compliments.

So when the reigning Jack Adams Award winner pays tribute to his team, people tend to take notice.

Such was the case following Monday's 5-2 Game 6 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. With his Washington Capitals backed into a win-or-go-home scenario, Trotz said his team's veterans stepped up in the clutch.

"That’s good on our leaders, that’s good on our group," Trotz said during his postgame presser. "I thought we’ve had a calmness since probably Game 3.

" ... We're having fun now."

Yeah, winning is usually a lot more fun than losing, but Trotz's assessment is accurate. Washington's go-to guys stepped up when it mattered most.

T.J. Oshie scored his fourth of the playoffs, Nicklas Backstrom netted his sixth, and despite allowing two garbage-time goals, Braden Holtby was solid, saving 16 of 18 shots.

Trotz recognizes that his core group of players are a big reason for the club's turnaround since Game 5.

"It starts with our leadership. Our leadership has (sort of) grabbed hold the last few games and it starts there."

The Capitals will need another strong performance from that same group of leaders Wednesday night in Game 7.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Verizon Center.