But Trotz, who resigned as Capitals coach June 18, 11 days after winning the Cup, and then was named to same position with the New York Islanders three days later, said he'll only have positive feelings when the teams play each other in Washington (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SN1, SNE, NBCSWA, MSG+, NHL.TV).
It will be the second time this season Trotz and the Islanders play the Capitals. Washington (27-14-5), coached by Trotz's former assistant Todd Reirden, won 4-1 at Barclays Center on Nov. 26.
"I'm going to have a lot of good emotions. The four years I spent there were tremendous," said Trotz, who went 205-89-34 as Capitals coach. "We won a lot of games. I have a lot of friends in that dressing room and I have a lot of friends away from the dressing room.
"It'll be fine. I think the first time you play them … it was here, and that was closure. I'm an Islander. I appreciate the ownership and the fans and the players, the trainers, coaches, all the people that were involved and the success that we had together.
"We're going to try go in there and get two points. I'm going to treat it like any other game."