The Washington Capitals were scheduled to have a day off on Saturday, but head coach Barry Trotz had other plans in the wake of Friday night’s 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.
The Capitals took to the ice for a skate after dropping their second game in a row and sixth loss in their past nine contests.
“I don’t think, right now, that we can say we’re a good hockey team right now. We can’t say that,” Trotz said after Friday’s loss.
“We need to play playoff hockey.”
Trotz addressed the media after Saturday’s impromptu practice, via Monumental Network:
“I think we got away from some basic principles,” Trotz said. “The mindset of having to compete at a certain level – and it’s a privilege when you do get days off.
“I just think we’ve got away from some basic principles, some basic foundation for any team, organization, business whatever, our work ethic wasn’t where it should be. That to me is disappointing, so instead of just sweeping it under the table and waiting for another day and hope it goes away, I said let’s address it today.
“So the scheduled day off is changed. We got an extra day off last week so I brought them in and used up one of their days off.”
The Capitals are currently clinging to a wild card spot, locked with the Boston Bruins at 82 points a piece. The Ottawa Senators trail the Capitals and Bruins by seven points in the standings.
The Capitals host the Bruins on Sunday night.
