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Backstrom: ‘We’re the ones that should be ashamed’

Dallas Stars v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 01: during an NHL game at Verizon Center on April 1, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Dallas Stars won, 5-0. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Patrick Smith

With the Washington Capitals missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07, coach Adam Oates has come under fire for how things have gone this season.

As Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington.com shares, Caps center Nicklas Backstrom said it’s on the players, not Oates, to take responsibility for the team falling well short of expectations this season.

“He played this game and he knows what he’s talking about,” Backstrom said. “I think it’s us as players. We’re the ones that play the game and we’re the ones that should be ashamed.”

It may not come right out as a defense of Oates as coach, but it reads like one. After seeing the Caps miss the postseason, changes are coming to D.C. somehow. Whether that’s Oates being let go or GM George McPhee or perhaps a pile of trades this summer is ultimately up to owner Ted Leonsis to decide.

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