Washington sustained little to no offensive pressure through lengthy stretches in the contest and was pushed around by Toronto (11-7-2). Laich tied the score at 1 early in the first period, 52 seconds after the Maple Leafs took the initial lead, but the Capitals showed little snarl.
Toronto goalie Jonas Gustavsson finished with 40 saves. Washington’s Tomas Vokoun was pulled 51
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2 minutes into the second period after allowing four goals on 18 shots. Michal Neuvrith yielded three goals on 11 shots in relief.
Washington’s 7-0 start to the season was the best in franchise history, but bad habits that were hinted at during that run have been pushed to the forefront. Saturday’s uninspired play had the look of a culmination of a gradual process that began in October.
“We’ve struggled probably the last [11] games now, we haven’t been playing well,” defenseman Dennis Wideman said. “Even when we were winning those seven games there were a lot of games there we got outplayed and our goalies stood on their heads and got us those wins. It’s been going on for a while. If we don’t correct it soon we’re going to find ourselves looking up.”
Washington plays four games in the next six days, and six of its next seven games at home, giving it plenty of opportunity to climb out of the losing streak or dig a deeper hole. Forward Troy Brouwer, one of five offseason acquisitions and prized in part for his Stanley Cup-winning experience, said despite the ugliness this single loss will not unravel the season.
“What game is it? Eighteen? Sixteen? Seventeen? The season’s not a write-off,” Brouwer said. “We’re not worried. You make playoffs. When was the last time the first overall place team won the Stanley Cup? I can’t tell you. . . . A lot of the times, you just need to make sure that you’re on your game going into the playoffs, and for us we’ve got to focus on winning our division, winning hockey games, and putting ourselves in a good spot when we get into the playoffs to give ourselves a run at the Cup.”
Capitals notes: Mike Green missed a fourth consecutive game with a strained right groin muscle. The defenseman has missed 10 of the Capitals’ past 11 outings.
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