Capitals Not Getting Discouraged, Aware Of What Needs To Change After Game 1 Loss To Rangers: 'We Got To Be A Lot Better'

The Washington Capitals' start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs didn't go exactly according to plan.

Despite a decent first period, Washington got away from its game in the second, and some errors, potentially missed calls and lack of offense resulted in a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers.

"Just momentum. I think they got the first goal... then after that, they started to press a little bit. Then there's 5-10 minutes they carried play a little bit and got some looks," Lindgren said of what went wrong in the middle frame.

"We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole," Tom Wilson added.

The Capitals were outshot 31-21 and weren't able to get much going offensively in a game where they were kept to the outside and unable to get much going against Igor Shesterkin.

"I think we had our looks," John Carlson said, adding, "We got the first part of a lot of good plays... with that said, we got to be a lot better."

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Washington also went 0-for-4 on the power play as the team not only struggled to get pucks to the net but couldn't enter the zone cleanly or sustain any pressure.

"Obviously wasn't good enough tonight," Wilson said. "At this time of year, it's huge; you got to make a difference. Special teams battle needs to shift our way if it can."

"Entries were a massive issue, as everybody watched," head coach Spencer Carbery added. "So we got to start there before we even talk about the end zone sequences."

Wilson also added that he wanted to see more physicality and grit from his club, especially as the game got progressively more chippy as time went on.

"I don't think it was anything crazy. You're expected to finish your checks at this time of year; I think we could probably do a little bit more of that," Wilson said. "I think in the first period, teams are feeling each other out a little bit. But that being said, it's playoff time, guys are expecting to be hit, guys are expected to give hits."

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While the first loss of the series was disappointing, the Capitals aren't letting themselves get down with it being a best-of-seven showdown.

"We saw how deadly they are when you give 'em time and space," Lindgren said. "I think it's one game. So, didn't go our way tonight and you know we'll bounce back next game."

"We understand it's a playoff game," Alex Ovechkin added. "Everybody have to play much better. Forget about this one and move forward."