Less than an hour before puck drop, the Washington Capitals made their first move of the looming NHL trade deadline. This time, despite sitting just outside of a playoff spot the team dealt roster players away rather than bringing pieces in for a potential playoff run. The Thursday night game, not to mention the five previous losses, justified the trade as the team lost 4-2 to the league-worst Anaheim Ducks.
The loss marks the Caps’ sixth straight in regulation. The last time that occurred was before Alex Ovechkin was drafted and before the 2004-2005 lockout.
“It’s sad to see two really great guys, great guys in the room, great players [go],” Trevor van Riemsdyk said of the Caps trading Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway.