DENVER – As soon as Capitals Coach Barry Trotz frustratingly said there may be changes to the defensive corps after another costly turnover by Dmitry Orlov, he qualified that he wasn’t guaranteeing it. Orlov had made mistakes before, but Trotz had never scratched him.
The day after the Capitals’ 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, in which the one goal was started by an Orlov turnover in Washington’s zone, Trotz had a discussion with his young defenseman. It was reassuring for Orlov, as Trotz told him that the organization values him and he has a future with the Capitals.