Toronto — Barry Trotz went through the handshake line victorious with players on the opposite side he coached to the Stanley Cup two years ago and his former top assistant who was chosen to replace him behind the bench.
Trotz felt all kinds of emotions after his New York Islanders knocked the Washington Capitals out of the playoffs in the first round by beating them 4-0 Thursday night in Game 5. He has now advanced in the postseason two years in a row since the Capitals opted to let him leave rather than giving him a raise after he led them to a championship, while Washington hasn’t won a playoff series since Trotz’s departure.