Capitals’ Stanley Cup tribute was a little bit petty

It was pure joy mixed with a dash of pettiness.

The Capitals celebrated their Stanley Cup victory before destroying the Bruins 7-0 on the NHL’s season-opening night Wednesday. The 4-minute-plus video showed plenty of scenes from Washington’s shocking Stanley Cup run, the franchise’s first championship in its 44-year history.

However, it did not include the coach who guided them there: Barry Trotz, who left in the offseason for the Islanders after a contract dispute. Trotz, clearly an integral part in the team’s title, was replaced by assistant Todd Reirden.

The absence of Trotz was the only blip on an otherwise joyous night in the nation’s capital.

“Gave me chills. I was just looking up and I was hearing the crowd sing that song,” center Nicklas Backstrom said, then added with a laugh: “I want to experience that again.”

Those fans roared at any mention of “champions.” Or any clip of Alex Ovechkin. Or, especially, when there were glimpses of “The Save” by Braden Holtby in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, and Lars Eller’s Cup-winning goal in Game 5, and Ovechkin kissing the trophy for the first time back on June 7.

Each burst of cheers sounded as if the games from months ago were being played all over again.

“When you’re part of something like that,” said T.J. Oshie, who scored 24 seconds into the game, “how can you not be excited to get going and try to do it again?”

— With AP