It was the kind of game the Washington Capitals didn't want, but one they likely needed going down the final stretch here.

From start to finish, it was an ugly, scrappy one against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as Washington failed to show up — and didn't do much to get into the game, either.

Ultimately, the result was a 7-0 loss, one that should serve as a wakeup call going forward despite being a contest to forget.

Here are the takeaways.

Hunter Shepard, Defense Struggle Big-Time For Capitals

It wasn't a great night on the defensive side of things for D.C. Zach Werenski made it 1-0 just a minute into the game, and minutes later, Kent Johnson made it 2-0 as Hunter Shepard gave up two goals on his first two shots faced in his first NHL start of the season.

Adam Fantilli then added another goal in the final minute of the first period, and then, would lead a three-goal surge for Columbus in the second. James van Riemsdyk added a goal late in the third to finish it off.

Though Shepard struggled, finding himself deep in his crease and being beat from several different areas, it wasn't all on him, as the defense in front of him was, for the most part, absent.

There was no one covering the front of the net, and more often than not, Shepard had to battle screens in front from his own defensemen. It led to a rough go that saw him stop just 19 of 26 in the defeat.

Ultimately, the loss falls on every member of the lineup, not just one player, as it was a poor showing from start to finish. Put simply: the Capitals weren't ready to play.

Alex Ovechkin's Void Felt, But Tom Wilson Tries To Pull Team Into Fight

Alex Ovechkin took the day off on Saturday and was a healthy scratch as he got some rest in after a physically and emotionally demanding week. While it's good for the captain to get a game off ahead of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, his void was certainly felt.

It took the Capitals some time to wake up and get into the game, and ultimately, it was Tom Wilson, the captain in waiting, who dragged his team into the fight with some physicality and grit. He had words for Adam Fantilli following the Blue Jackets forward's big hit on Ryan Leonard, and from there, was getting physical all night long and doing what he could to spark his team.

Ultimately, though, the offense couldn't get much going without Ovechkin in tow. Passes were missed and plays didn't connect at both even strength and on the team's only power-play attempt, as D.C.'s six-game PP streak came to an end.

Washington also finished with just 21 shots on goal against Jet Greaves, and couldn't really generate sustained pressure against Columbus at any point.

Frustration Boils Over, Ryan Leonard Shows Fire

At the end of the day, tensions boiled over as things heated up between the Capitals and Blue Jackets.

Ryan Leonard had his first NHL fight after having been pushed around earlier in the game, going wiht Sean Kuraly after a big check. After that, Rasmus Sandin went with James van Riemsdyk.

Leonard, though, deserves credit for showing some fire and grit, and by far, he was one of the best palyers on the ice over the course of the game, taking matters into his own hands and even getting more ice time as a result of it.

Pierre-Luc Dubois and Trevor van Riemsdyk also got misconducts, along with Dante Fabbro and Dmitri Voronkov, who ended up back on the ice following the decision, which led to a bench minor.