Barry Trotz had plenty of praise for Alex Ovechkin ahead of the Washington Capitals captain's final regular-season appearance in Nashville, highlighting the impact the NHL legend has made throughout his career.

Trotz, who coached Ovechkin in Washington from 2014 to 2018, reunited with the veteran forward before the Capitals beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

Ovechkin announced on Oct. 5 that this would be his final NHL season, making the matchup a special occasion for Nashville fans.

“There's not a lot of them, but I said I'll come down. I want to see the Big Man,” Trotz said, referring to Ovechkin, who holds the NHL record with 930 career goals.

The former Predators coach also expected the crowd to recognize the significance of Ovechkin's final visit. He described the Russian star as the greatest goal-scorer in hockey history and praised his personality, physical presence and ability to make the game enjoyable.

Trotz has firsthand experience with Ovechkin's greatness. During their four seasons together in Washington, the Capitals won the 2018 Stanley Cup, with Ovechkin leading the postseason with 15 goals and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP.

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Trotz recalled how a heart-to-heart conversation with his captain during the playoffs helped shift the team's mindset. He encouraged Ovechkin to lead through the little things, including blocking shots and embracing the physical side of the game. Washington eventually overcame its playoff struggles and captured the franchise's first championship.

Thursday was also a meaningful night for Trotz, who was inducted into the Predators' Golden Hall before the game. The ceremony adds another milestone to his long-standing connection with Nashville.

The Capitals improved to 8-4-0 with the victory, while the Predators fell to 4-4-5.