Takeaways: Ovechkin & Strome Impress To Lead Push, But Capitals Can't Overcome Ugly Start In Loss To Canadiens

WASHINGTON — Through the first 20 minutes against the Montreal Canadiens, the Washington Capitals looked like a team that'd been off for a week and change, with built-up rust and fatigue resulting in a 3-0 deficit after one period. And though Alex Ovechkin had other plans and helped rally his team, it would be too much to overcome.

Ovechkin and Rasmus Sandin scored as the Capitals made a strong attempt at a comeback, but an ugly start ultimately led to a 5-2 loss.

Here are all the takeaways from the defeat, which extends the losing streak to five games — their longest skid in nearly a year — and keeps D.C. seven points out of a playoff spot to kick off the second half.

The Capitals lacked jump coming out of the gate, as Washington failed to match the Canadiens' speed early and let them tilt the ice and take control.

Montreal first capitalized on a mistake by Nicolas Aube-Kubel in the offensive zone, as Cole Caufield forced a turnover to go on a semi-3-on-1 break, where Nick Suzuki scored to make it 1-0. Aube-Kubel did not play the remainder of the first period.

Just 57 seconds later, Suzuki would strike again, firing home a rebound off the post past Lindgren.

Later in the frame, as D.C. failed to respond with much pressure, the Habs made it 3-0. Trevor van Riemsdyk fell in the corner trying to get the puck, and Connor McMichael lost track of Michael Pezzetta, who cut to the front and fired a shot high past Lindgren.

Lindgren's night ended there, as the 30-year-old was pulled for Darcy Kuemper after surrendering three goals on nine shots.

It's tough to blame Lindgren, though, given the play in front of him was disorganized and flat. Washington couldn't match Montreal out of the gate, and mistakes, missed assignments and puck-chasing proved costly.

The Capitals had as many shots as the Canadiens had goals with five minutes left in the frame and were trailing 13-5 in that department after 20 minutes.

With his team down 3-0 and needing some kind of spark or life on offense, Alex Ovechkin stepped up and delivered in the second.

The captain was working on the right point on the power play instead of his offense and had some decent looks, and finally at even strength, he converted as Dylan Strome found him wide open at the backdoor in the second period to cut things to 3-1.

It marked Ovechkin's 10th goal of the season and his second goal in as many games. He said upon returning to the District that he was able to hit reset with the time away, and he appeared refreshed and in vintage form in his first game back.

After that, Washington appeared to find a spark and get back into the swing of things. The Capitals dominated from that point forward, outshooting the Habs 16-5 in the second and leading in attempts, 31-7, in that frame.

The Capitals were firing on all cylinders after Ovechkin's goal as they looked to claw back from what was originally a 3-0 deficit, but they just couldn't fully solve Sam Montembeault, who stopped 36 of 38 shots, while Montreal also rallied to block several attempts.

Juraj Slafkovsky would restore the three-goal lead for the Canadiens after firing a quick shot through Martin Fehervary's legs and past Darcy Kuemper at 4-on-4, but Sandin responded shortly after with his second goal in as many games to make it 4-2.

There was a decent pushback as the Capitals got some offense going without Evgeny Kuznetsov in the mix. Kuznetsov is out indefinitely after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

However, a late elbowing penalty from Anthony Mantha put the comeback effort to rest. Slafkovsky struck on the ensuing power play to make it a 5-2 game, and D.C. couldn't come back. 

- Dylan Strome picked up his 13th and 14th assists of the season to extend his point streak to three games and to take the team lead in scoring. He also led with seven shots.

- Sandin now has five points in his last six outings.

- Washington went 0-for-3 on the man advantage.