The team is in the midst of a midseason swoon that has everyone wondering what the heck has happened to the defending champions.
The story behind the collapse? Simple as one, two, three (plus four, five, six and seven). Seven reasons for seven consecutive losses.
Ice-cold Holtby
Braden Holtby suffered an eye injury nearly two weeks ago, and since then, the Capitals goaltender hasn’t been able to stop the puck consistently. In four games since the injury, Holtby’s save percentage is just .843.
Backup dropoff
Unfortunately for the Capitals, Holtby’s backup, Pheonix Copley, hasn’t been much better.