Lindgren Blunt After Capitals Lose For 7th Time In 8 Games & Fall Back Out Of Playoff Spot: 'If We Come Up Short, It Doesn't Mean As Much'

For Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren, belief has powered him through a standout season that's turned him into a No. 1 goaltender at the highest level. But he didn't mince words: if there aren't playoffs involved, that belief — and everything he's accomplished — would feel like it was all for naught.

Lindgren was blunt postgame when discussing the Capitals' 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, which marked the team's seventh defeat in the last eight games and again forced them out of playoff contention with three games left to go on the regular season circle.

"Coming off a big win like we did against Detroit, four games left in the year, every game matters, so definitely frustrating to come up short here," Lindgren said.

Related: Takeaways: Capitals Stumble & Tempers Flare In Loss To Sabres, D.C. Falls Out Of Playoff Spot

The 30-year-old netminder, who stopped 14 of 17 shots against Buffalo, said that while the group showed fight, the game just slipped out of control and the comeback effort proved too little, too late.

However, the most disappointing part has been the team hitting a wall with the stakes as high as ever.

"The margin of error is so thin, there's just — you can't take any second for granted," Lindgren said. "Listen, like, it's been a really fun year. It's been a really good year. But to me, if we come up short, it doesn't mean as much."

View the original article to see embedded media.

The Capitals didn't get much help on the out-of-town scoreboard, either, as the New York Islanders won in overtime to extend their lead over third in the Metropolitan Division while the Pittsburgh Penguins secured two points over the Detroit Red Wings. The Philadelphia Flyers also won, tying D.C. in the standings.

Washington is back in action on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and then there are two crucial games left on the regular season slate. And for Lindgren and the Capitals, it's do or die.

"Three games left, and we gotta lay it all out there," Lindgren said.