Here is a good piece on the Capitals in the midst of a tough road trip with back-to-back games starting tonight in Anaheim.

Dealing with injuries and self doubt. As many of you have noted, it is time for our leaders to lead and for our best players to step up with 50+ standings points left on the table.

We are still in the qualifying for the playoff race but we are all aware that we aren’t playing to our capabilities. Those OT losses and shootout losses where we left so many points on the table are hurting us right now. We have changed our system. We are playing strong defense. We are killing penalties well but of course we are struggling with offense and we are really struggling on our power play. The change in system is a necessary one but has come with a price. We all see it and know it. Change is good but it has been painful. We hear you. We understand.

We all must focus on the signal right now. We can’t deal with noise.

I appreciate your emails, message board posts, suggestions and recommendations. Let us hope we raise our game; score on the power play; and win in OT when it gets to OT. We need points right now. We need wins. We need to rebuild our confidence and get our swagger back. Confidence, momentum and leaning in seem to be important for our team dynamics and collective productivity.

The focus needs to be on a game-by-game basis. Tonight’s game is important. Last game was important. The next game is important. Every game and every point is important. The notion that nothing matters but the playoffs is a long forgotten point of view. Wish us well.