ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin certainly can talk the talk, from his “All series, baby” jab aimed at Henrik Lundqvist during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal, to his assertion that the Washington Capitals will eliminate the New York Rangers in Game 7.

And Capitals coach Barry Trotz is absolutely fine with his captain’s bravado.

“His whole career, he’s said stuff,” Trotz said Monday. “Every year, he says stuff that (is) bold — and he backs it up, usually.”

After New York beat Washington 4-3 Sunday night to force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Ovechkin said: “We’re going to come back and win this series.”

The three-time NHL MVP added: “We’re going to play our game and we’re going to come back and we’re going to play Montreal or Tampa,” a reference to the conference final.

“That’s what leaders do,” Trotz said. “I have a lot more respect for someone who will be bold enough to say, `I’m the leader of the hockey team. We’re going to go there and give our best game and we’re going to win the hockey game.’

“I love that.”