Trotz: Capitals need to cash in on opportunities

The Washington Capitals find themselves in familiar territory.

Now down 2-1 in their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Presidents' Trophy winning Capitals have their work cut out for them.

After taking Game 1 against the Maple Leafs, the Capitals have dropped the following two games, with all three contests ending in overtime. Toronto has a chance to push its lead to 3-1 on home ice Wednesday.

Against the Maple Leafs on Monday, the Capitals came out strong, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Evgeny Kuznetsov put the Capitals ahead 3-1 in the second period, but the team then failed to build on its lead shortly after on a 5-on-3 power play.

"There's a chance to take control of the game and we didn't. And then we got another power-play opportunity and we didn't do it, and then they got some momentum," Capitals coach Barry Trotz told reporters after the loss. "They're capitalizing on their moments, we're not. To me, in the series, they've cashed in. We've had opportunities, we haven't cashed in, to this point. It doesn't mean it can't happen next game."

The Capitals have finished as the top regular-season team three times since 2010, but have not advanced past Round 2 since a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998.

Trotz is in his third year behind the bench in Washington. His squad has exited in the second round in both of his previous seasons in D.C. Still, the Capitals bench boss is confident his group can find their game.

"There isn't any doubt. It's the first team to four," Trotz added. "We've got some room here ... It's not coming easy right now, but at the same time we're right there with three overtime games."

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