WASHINGTON–The Washington Capitals fell to the New York Islanders 3-2 at Verizon Center and fell back in the playoff race as they try and claw themselves back into it.
“Tonight we just didn’t play the system the way we had to to make it a simple hockey game, we made it difficult on ourselves,” Caps forward Matt Hendricks said.
Hendricks added, “I don’t think we came out with the fire that we needed, with the intensity that we needed.”
The Islanders scored two goals in the first eight minutes, only to see the Caps score two in the second period to tie it up. But in the third, miscommunication between Mike Green and Brooks Laich cost them as Matt Moulson took the puck away from Green and found John Tavares who buried the game winner.
“I could certainly make a better play to help Mike [Green] out there,” Laich said.
Laich added that he apologized to Green.
Capitals Head Coach Adam Oates said it was on both of them and said “It was a tired play”.
The Caps will have plenty of time to think about this one as they don’t play again until Saturday.
“The guys need rest,” Oates said. “They need rest mentally and then we need some practice time. We haven’t been able to practice in two weeks.”
Listen here to what Adam Oates, Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Braden Holtby, Mike Ribeiro, Matt Hendricks & Joel Ward had to say following the loss.
Adam Oates Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Adam Oates Postgame RAW
Alex Ovechkin Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Alex Ovechkin Postgame RAW
Brooks Laich Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Brooks Laich Postgame RAW
Braden Holtby Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Braden Holtby Postgame RAW
Mike Ribeiro Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Mike Ribeiro Postgame RAW
Matt Hendricks Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Matt Hendricks Postgame RAW
Joel Ward Postgame Audio
03-26-13 Joel Ward Postgame RAW
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