Getty Images The Washington Capitals are off to their worst start since 1993-94 after losing 3-2 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
Still, Capitals coach Adam Oates saw a silver lining in their latest defeat.
“I think tonight was an example of we did [work]. And it was great to see,” Oates said, according to the Washington Post.
“The first question was, we haven’t played for 60 minutes. Well, we did tonight. It was a lot of growing pains, if you will, but the guys did their job. You obviously want the win, but we did a lot of good things.”
Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth, 24, also earned praise after he kicked out 32 of 35 shots on Friday.
“He really gave us a chance,” Oates said. “And throughout the whole game, we got behind and we didn’t crumble today.”
Forward Joel Ward echoed his coach’s comments, calling Neuvirth’s performance “outstanding.”
Nevertheless, the Washington Capitals are 0-3-1 to start the shortened season. They will host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday (3:00 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center).
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Kings’ Scuderi took the diplomatic route complaining about Game 3 calls
May 19, 2013, 9:54 AM EDT
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Last night’s Game 3 saw the Kings get stung for two calls late in the third period of a 1-1 game that led to a 5-on-3 power play for San Jose that saw Logan Couture capitalize on in overtime for the win, you could feel the angst coming. Dustin Penner sounded off about it at…
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“He screws it up.”
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Penner blasts refs for having ‘gall to guess’ on goalie interference call
May 19, 2013, 12:44 AM EDT
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Trevor Lewis doesn’t think it was a penalty.
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Logan Couture goes from injured to game-winner.
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His Halifax Mooseheads topped Seth Jones’ Portland Winterhawks.
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Ouch.
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At least Scott Hannan’s OK?
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These moments hurt in games with small margins of error.
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After falling to it in Game 2.
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Matt Greene isn’t playing in Game 3, either.
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Dennis Seidenberg likely out, Wade Redden’s a game-time decision.
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His club’s down 0-2 to the Kings…
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Their critical press release fund must be dry.
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Is that “grossly unfair,” too?
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The captain cares not for the rough stuff.
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Video: Valtteri Filppula’s highlight reel goal ices Detroit’s victory
May 18, 2013, 4:22 PM EDT
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Flying through the air going five-hole? Yes.
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Switzerland shuts out Team USA, faces Sweden in gold medal game
May 18, 2013, 4:00 PM EDT
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It’s their first finals appearance since 1935.
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The comments are now open.
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Havlat returns for Sharks, Kings’ Pearson could make NHL debut for Game 3
May 18, 2013, 2:44 PM EDT
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Lineup shuffles are on the way.
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It’s his call whether to go or not.
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Video: Highlights: Sharks take critical Game 3 in OT
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Video: Stuart lands huge hit on Williams
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Video: Toffoli gets Kings on the board
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Video: Sharks take advantage of early penalty
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Video: Highlights: Red Wings even series, thump Blackhawks
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Video: Filppula scores impressive, unbalanced goal
