Washington Capitals D Mike Green: We need to be more physical
Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green, making his 2014-15 debut after sitting out the team's first game of the season Thursday, noted that his team wants to be more physical in order to deflate opponents, according to a Comcast SportsNet report.
Green scored a power play goal in the Capitals' 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins Saturday, marking Washington's first shutout of the Bruins in Boston since 2000. After the game, Green stressed to CSN the need to be more physical:
"I think that as a group we want to add more physicality, when we're putting pressure, when we're finishing our checks, you know, it sort of deflates the other team."
"As a unit we definitely want to be more physical."
Green's return to the ice occurred in a physical contest with multiple skirmishes and 51 combined hits. Capitals head coach Barry Trotz labeled Green an "All-Star defender."
Green is a two-time All-Star.
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"I think Mike made a really good commitment in the offseason from a conditioning and physical strength standpoint. He's in great shape and he's really strong," Trotz said.
Green is in his tenth NHL season, all of which have come as a member of the Capitals. He has 104 goals and 212 assists across 504 games in that span.
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