Even if you missed arguably the Capitals’ worst loss of this young season, all you need to do is listen to players and coach Bruce Boudreau to anticipate what Wednesday will be like.
“I think our work ethic needs to be better,” Matt Hendricks said.
Said Mike Knuble: “Of late, I don’t know if we’re all committed. It’s sad to say and we all look bad because of the result - because we won’t all commit. We look great when we’re all committing; we look all like a bunch of clowns when we don’t. A very average team when we’re not all committed.”
If that’s because of a 7-0-0 start and the comfort that provides, Boudreau said, “If it’s a comfort thing, the comfort will change tomorrow.”
Even owner Ted Leonsis weighed in, writing on his blog “I bet practice today won’t be fun for anyone.”
In other words, expect a bag skate. Expect about an hour-plus of hard work and drills. Penalties have been a problem so far, especially in key situations, so expect an emphasis on players moving their feet.
“I anticipate we’ll work pretty hard tomorrow and get some frustration out for sure,” Knuble said.
Don’t expect a whole lot of fun. But expect a concerted effort to remove any “comfort.”
