"There's a lot of things in that sort of discussion when you talk about Justin," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "When you check the boxes off for what you want, you want quality people to add to your organization, you wanted to find someone who was a winner, you were looking for someone who had playoff success, and you're looking for a guy that is still productive in your price range. He checked off pretty well every box, and when he became available, we went and made a big pitch for him.
"We all talked to him. I think we sold him on a good fit. It got him closer to [New] Jersey where he has his summer home, and all the pieces seemed to fit. It might be too simple to say the playoff thing, but we looked at the person and a few other things with that as well, and he's come as advertised."
The veteran on the Capitals second line with Andre Burakovsky, 21, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, 23, Williams had 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 82 regular-season games, his best season since he had 22 goals, 37 assists and 59 points with the Kings in 2011-12. He also fit seamlessly in the Capitals locker room with his easygoing personality.
Williams can keep things light by dancing along to "Cotton Eyed Joe," as he did while sitting on the bench last month in Ottawa, but that doesn't mean others won't look to him during serious moments in what the Capitals hope will be a long playoff run.
"I try to lead from my experiences and take everything that I can," Williams said. "I know in the playoffs it doesn't matter if you win a game in overtime or you win a game 6-1. It's just one, and you can't get too high, you can't get too low. You need to be prepared for everything. Playoff series are fun, and it's about not letting the other team get the best of you."