The 26-year-old wants to see more from Washington in its final four games of the season.
The 26-year-old wants to see more from Washington in its final four games of the season.
For the first time in nine years, the Washington Capitals will close out the season with nothing big to play for: not the playoffs, not home ice advantage, not a division title. However, Dylan Strome said there's still something big on the line: pride.
The 26-year-old, who hit the 60-point mark and led his team with a multi-point outing despite a lackluster 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, said that the Capitals need to finish out the season on a high note and have a much better performance in each of the final four games.
"[That game] doesn't reflect each of us; that was not our best game," Strome said postgame. "We gotta be a lot better than that. I don't think it was anywhere near good enough."
Alex Ovechkin pointed out that the final games of the year weigh differently on the team after being eliminated from contention and seeing a lengthy streak of playoff berths come to an end.
Strome agreed, but also said that the team can't linger on that and needs to instead take things day by day.
"Obviously, it sucks not being in the playoff race anymore like we have been for the last four, five months when we’ve been trying to get out the wins and the points," Strome said. "When you’re on the ice, you’re focusing on your next shift and trying to make the right play and not letting the other stuff creep into your mind because if it does happen, it’s never gonna be good."
The 6-3 center also added that it's still important to show up and "play spoiler" with a lot of big games coming up against division opponents in Florida and New York still fighting for playoff spots.
Not only that, but it's also about playing for one another and fighting for wins, which, despite the circumstances, still matter to the players as they have a natural desire to win and expectations to live up to as professional hockey players.
"We’re still proud guys. You wanna go out there and put up a good effort. It’s a privilege to play in the NHL and lots of people would want to be where we are right now," Strome pointed out. "So, gotta go out there and give it your all every shift and every time you’re out there and let the results take care of itself. Can't be leaving each other out to dry."