Going on a West Coast trip can be tough for an Eastern Time Zone team.
The Washington Capitals returned home earlier this week from a four-game road trip on the other side of the country, including two back-to-backs. The trip was successful, with the Capitals going 2-1-1, but it ended on a sour note with a 5-2 loss Sunday to the Seattle Kraken.
However, just as difficult as the jet lag out west is the potential for sluggishness in a team’s first game back home, Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. That’s why the coach was glad to see Washington come out hot Wednesday against visiting Montreal — getting off to a quick start that propelled the Capitals to a 6-3 victory and into a tie for first place in the Metropolitan Division at 12-3-5 (29 points).