Better effort doesn't yield better results for Capitals

The Washington Capitals played one of the worst periods of the seasons and won 3-2 in Ottawa on Tuesday. Two nights later, they played a much better game but ended up on the wrong side of the ledger in a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

Washington seemed like they were in good shape in the second period, up 2-1 and recovering from a slow start. But a deflection and a long drive that ended up in the back of the cage ended up being the difference as the Caps found themselves losing the second game of the two-game road trip.

"We're confident in our group," Tom Wilson said afterwards. "I think we clean a few things up. You know, they're a good hockey team right now. They're one of the hottest…