WASHINGTON — It was a better showing than the one 24 hours prior against the same team, but the Washington Capitals again found themselves on the losing end and in an unideal spot with just two more games to in the regular season.

Alex Ovechkin scored and was far and away the best player for D.C., but simple mistakes proved costly as the Capitals faltered again in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here are the takeaways from the team's third straight loss.

Miscues Prove Costly For Capitals

Overall, it was a much better effort than the one they put up in Columbus just 24 hours prior, but the Capitals made some key mistakes that proved costly.

Zach Werenski got the Blue Jackets on the board first with a point shot through traffic, and then Adam Fantilli had the eventual game-winner after a pass to Tom Wilson in the slot went awry and right over his tape and onto the stick of Fantilli for the quick shot.

Fantilli wasn't done there. Charlie Lindgren overcommitted to Kent Johnson and fell in his crease, which led to a wide-open net and layup for Fantilli. Nic Dowd lost an edge trying to block the shot, and the young Jackets star roofed home his second of the night.

Later in the third, as D.C. tried to spark a late rally, Dylan Strome turned over the puck to Dmitri Voronkov, who sped into the zone and beat Lindgren.

Washington made some key defensive mistakes and was unable to efficiently clear the zone while also turning over the puck in high-danger areas on several occasions.

This marked the 11th straight game that the Capitals have given up at least three goals.

It's important to note the team is still without top performers Aliaksei Protas and Logan Thompson due to injury, and John Carlson also sat out to get some rest. However, the team wants to put an end to these habits going into the postseason, especially with the Blue Jackets being a potential first-round opponent.

Alex Ovechkin Shines Despite Loss

A day of rest worked wonders for captain Alex Ovechkin, who led the charge and put on a show for Washington despite the defeat.

Just 1:10 minutes into the game, he fired home his 43rd goal of the season and 896th career goal on a rocket of a shot. It extended his point streak to seven games. He has goals in six of those outings.

Ovechkin Scores 896 To Add To All-Time Goals Record, Continues Historic Season WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin wasn't going to stop at 895.

He wasn't finished there, though. Over the course of the night, the captain was all over the ice, throwing his weight around and generating chance after chance while moving his feet and making smart passes and plays.

The 39-year-old led the team with six shots and four hits.

Capitals Fail To Solve Jet Greaves, Can't Execute Cleanly On Offense

The Capitals got their looks over the course of the game, with Alex Ovechkin and company generating an influx of chances. However, Jet Graves, making his second straight start fresh off his first career shutout a day before, stood tall again.

Greaves stopped 29 of 30 in the win, and the Capitals failed to capitalize on several grade-A opportunities. There were either one too many passes, or at the last second, D.C. would lose control of the play.

As a result, Washington looked dejected and out of it at times, a pattern that needs to end quickly with the playoffs looming.

Top Shelf Takes

- Dylan Strome picked up his 52nd assist of the season and has assisted on 22 of Ovechkin's 43 goals this season. He also wore the "A" with John Carlson scratched.

- Anthony Beauvillier looked good on the top line and led the way physically with five hits.