The Capitals suffered their second straight loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, dropping their final regular-season home game with a 4-1 defeat. Combined with Saturday’s 7-0 blowout in Columbus, the Capitals surrendered 11 goals on just 49 shots over the back-to-back games. The team has now gone 3-6-1 over its last 10 outings.
The Washington Capitals are not in a state of panick after suffering back-to-back loses to the Columbus Blue Jackets and being outscored 11-1 over the weekend.
Katie Adler of RMNB writes that despite their late-season skid, the Capitals aren’t ready to freak out, even if they’re not satisfied with their recent results.
Here’s what Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane had to say following the team’s 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday.
«No concern at all, really. We know we’re a good team. We’ve just got to be prepared to play Game 1. And we’ve got to use these last two games to ramp it up here, obviously. But I think we’re a mature group in here, and we know what needs to be done and how we need to play for Game 1I don’t think anyone’s really panicking in here.» -Mangiapane
Adler writes that unlike last season, when the Capitals had to wait until Game 82 to clinch a playoff berth, the stakes are much lower this time around. The 2024-25 squad had already secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference before their home-and-home series with Columbus, allowing them some flexibility as they wrap up the regular season.
With little on the line, Alex Ovechkin was rested on Saturday and John Carlson sat out Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets were fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, adding urgency to their performance.
“Rather than must-win games, the final stretch of the regular season has become a chance for the Capitals to both rest veteran players and tweak their game going into the playoffs.” -Adler
The Capitals have now given up three or more goals in 11 straight games, highlighting ongoing defensive struggles. However, Alex Ovechkin also emphasized the team’s lack of offensive production as a key factor in their recent losses.
Here’s what Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin had to say following his team’s loss.
«I don’t think something wrong, just if you look at the last two games, [we scored] only one goal. And it’s hard in this league to win the game if you score one.
I think mentally you just have to be ready for that kind of game in the playoffs and we just have to use our chances because every small detail is going to count. We’re big boys, so we understand what’s on the line. Two games left and we try to be ready.» -Ovechkin
The Capitals viewed the back-to-back losses as a valuable learning experience, with head coach Spencer Carbery noting that struggles to generate offense and facing hot goaltending are «almost a guarantee» in any playoff series. The team hopes to use the lessons from these games to sharpen their approach heading into the postseason.
“Several members of the team said the games felt more like playoff games as the Blue Jackets fought to avoid elimination. That urgency, in their eyes, could prove a benefit, allowing the Caps to learn from their mistakes before the start of the postseason.” -Adler
Despite the team’s recent struggles, The Capitals believe they have what it takes to compete for the Stanley Cup come playoff time.