WASHINGTON (AP) Washington coach Barry Trotz wasn’t surprised his squad started the season slow. Pain from another playoff flameout lingered. Trotz and the coaching staff gave the players space to emotionally mend on their own Wholesale Randall Telfer Jersey , anticipating the team’s culture would eventually help find a winning path. That approach proved wise.
Nicklas Backstrom scored at 4:17 of overtime and Alex Ovechkin had a power-play goal and an assist to help the Capitals beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on Sunday.
The Capitals have won four in a row overall and nine consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the NHL. Since Nov. 22, the Metropolitan Division leaders are 15-3-2.
Article continues below ...”We had to get through the misery of how we finished last year,” Trotz said in reference to the Game 7 loss at home to Pittsburgh in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Washington hasn’t advanced beyond the second round of the postseason since reaching the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals despite several impressive teams. The Capitals won 55 and 56 games the previous two seasons.
”We had high expectations. We have expectations to do well every year Da'Shawn Hand Super Bowl LI Jersey , especially the last couple of years,” Trotz said. ”There’s a lot of hurt. Our expectations are higher than some other teams because we feel like we can get there. We let the players sort of heal on their own.”
Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and an assist for the Blues. They have lost two in a row and six of their last seven road games.
Recognizing a change of possession in Washington’s end late in overtime, Backstrom headed down ice, received a long pass from T.J. Oshie and beat goalie Carter Hutton for his ninth goal of the season.
”Tied up there on the boards Isaiah Oliver Jersey Elite , I was just going. I knew the pass was coming,” Backstrom said. ”Nice to get a breakaway for once. Nice to score too.”
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