The Capitals' special teams were a big reason why they were swept in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals' first-round series with the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers ended in a sweep, and there was one major factor that played a big role in D.C.'s early exit: special teams.

Washington's power play went 2-for-17 (11.8 percent), and the penalty kill allowed six goals on 16 opportunities (62.5). The Capitals' special team struggles were also evident over the course of the regular season, and for general manager Brian MacLellan, something's got to give.

"I think one thing we're gonna have to take a look at our specialty teams, both. Find some answers, whether it's personnel or trying to make some improvements there," MacLellan said.

Washington's struggles on special teams were also evident over the course of the season, with first-year assistant Kirk Muller handling the power play and second-year assistant Scott Allen leading the penalty kill.

To open the campaign, D.C. went 3-for-50 on the power play and also suffered a 10-game stretch where it went 0-for-28. The Capitals were able to pick it up in the second half, but the team still finished in the middle of the pack ith a 20.7 PP percentage.

Meanwhile, the penalty kill took a major hit, falling below 80 percent for the first time since 2018-19. Washington would have stretches where it didn't give up anything on the power play, and then would suffer breakdowns and give up at least one a night at diifferent points. D.C.'s PK ranked 14th-to-last at 79 percent.

There will be options in the offseason, as MacLellan said he will explore adding some names to the mix to help bolster the team's offfense and provide a bit more help on the other side of the puck, too.

Free agency opens on July 1, though he could also explore the trade market.