The Capitals didn't hold back following a rough showing against the Coyotes.
WASHINGTON — Head coach Spencer Carbery didn't mince words as he took the podium following the Washington Capitals' 5-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, stating he couldn't recall a bigger letdown this season.
"Given the circumstances, for sure, that was the most disappointing game I've coached this year with this team," Carbery said. "In the third period, I will give our guys credit to come back 20 minutes, but the first two periods, it's the worst we've played all year."
Washington took six penalties, including two unsportsmanlike conduct calls, while falling to a 4-1 deficit after 40 minutes.
"Every single one of our guys struggled. All six of our D, all 12 of our forwards, every single guy struggled through our lineup. Even having said that, we're still in it, sort of... then we lose composure. Especially from veteran leadership guys, that just can't happen."
The loss is even more disappointing given the implications; the Capitals sit six points out of a playoff spot and were coming off one of their biggest wins of the season, a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers that bolstered the team's playoff hopes. With this loss, those hopes dwindle.
"It's very hard. The last game was so important for us and I thought we played really well, and then you come out here tonight, and we're not ready, we're not sharp," Anthony Mantha said. "It's just hard. We don't have an easy schedule up ahead, and maybe we took this game a little too easy from the start."
Mantha's teammates echoed his thoughts, with veteran Max Pacioretty calling Sunday's first two periods "some of our worst since I've been here."
"I felt like there was (an emotional letdown)... that's frustrating because you take that personally sometimes, right? We're professionals, a lot of us have played many games in this league and understand the meaning of an emotional letdown after a big game," Pacioretty said. "For sure, that's what happened there in the first 40. Good teams don't let that happen."
Washington a few days to digest and move on from loss before returning to action on Thursday against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins in another critical game. The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline is Friday.
Pacioretty is hoping that there will be a different showing by then.
"This is a blip on our radar... we know this team is capable of really playing with anyone," Pacioretty said, adding, "We've been doing it consistently as of late with a couple hiccups here and there, and we just want to keep playing that way."