from Andrew Gross of Newsday,

Barry Trotz waved to the adoring fans at Capital One Arena as they stood to applaud him, saluted the Capitals’ bench (with Alex Ovechkin leaning over to ask how he liked the video tribute) and then touched his heart during the first-period appreciation of his four seasons in Washington, culminating with the Stanley Cup celebration last June.

Then the Islanders put on a defensive clinic — keeping the shots to the outside and limiting the rebounds as a real homage to Trotz’s coaching skills — and beat Washington, 2-0, on Friday night to vault over the Capitals and into the Metropolitan Division lead.

“It was sort of an identity game for us,” said Trotz, who made his first return to Washington with the Isles. “We just talk about climbing. It just happens the Caps were the next team in front of us. Two weeks ago, we were talking about Buffalo and other teams like Montreal. I said just keep climbing and don’t look up. The guys have been good.”

The Islanders received third-period goals by Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck and 19 saves from Thomas Greiss, who notched his second shutout of the season and 10th of his career.

Coupled with the Blue Jackets’ 4-1 loss to the visiting Canadiens, the Islanders are a point ahead of Columbus and Washington.

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Watch the game highlights below...