This post was written by DCist contributor Jesse Rounds

Last Wednesday night the Capitals visited the Panthers in Florida and played them close. Excellent touches in the offensive zone led to goals, however, defensive breakdowns and a lack of discipline hobbled the Caps in the end. Most of the first period was hockey the way it should be, fast and without much stoppage in play. Over the next two and a quarter periods the game just got ugly. Between them, the teams were whistled for 24 penalties, 13 against Washington, and the Caps came up short 3-2.

After the mess on Wednesday night the Caps traveled to Tampa Bay to take on the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. In a complete reversal the team played superbly. They played well at both ends, got great saves from Olie Kolzig, and watched Alexander Ovechkin score his 45th and 46th goals of the season. Still, the effort was not enough, the Lightning won 4-3 on a goal in the 4-on-4, 5 minute overtime period. Penalties again were a major problem. Every time the Caps were able to make a play and score a goal it seemed they immediately coughed up a foolish penalty. Still, continuing problems with penalties should not take away from a superb effort. Coach Glen Hanlon made every effort to praise his young squad after they suffered their 8th loss in a row saying, “I feel for our team. There’s nothing else I can say. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. If we keep working like this, the time will come for our young kids when we’ll win games like this.”