Barry Trotz wanted Brett Connolly to control his emotions. After Connolly returned from a concussion on Nov. 12, the Capitals coach said the 25-year-old spent his next seven games trying to force too many situations.
So with other forwards available, Trotz scratched a healthy Connolly for the next two games.
But with the Capitals’ recent third-line “crushed by the numbers,” Trotz went back to Connolly on Saturday — and the forward scored on his very first shift, 63 seconds into the Capitals’ 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Connolly said he’s just trying to stay poised.