Photo by clydeorama.

No power play goals, no shots on goal by Alex Ovechkin, and some uncharacteristic moves from Nicklas Backstrom: not much else needs to be said about the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 overtime loss to the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It’s hardly a death knell. But the Capitals were sober enough in the locker room that Boyd Gordon, who had four hits against the Canadiens on Thursday, was calling Game 2 on Saturday a “must win.” His teammate Matt Bradley said Montreal played well and deserved to win, but believed the Caps need to take the loss in stride, since it’s the first of what could be a seven-game series.

Both Gordon and Bradley agreed the Caps need to move on quickly, but not too far — Gordon didn’t even want to entertain the thought of the series going the distance.