The Washington Capitals are not off to a good start to the 2023-24 NHL season. They entered Tuesday's “Frozen Frenzy” 1-2-1 while having been outplayed for much of their early slate of games. Things didn't get better on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite a wide gap in shots favoring Washington.
The team's frustration boiled over to some extent through forward Tom Wilson. Wilson, known for his physical play, took a penalty in the second period. However, that penalty wasn't for a hit or any gamesmanship with his stick. Instead, he sat for two minutes on an Abuse of Officials call. After the game, the Capitals forward spoke about the incident.
“It was a little bit of frustration obviously from my part. Can't have it. Unacceptable. But as a whole to find a way to build momentum and tilt the ice our way,” Wilson said, via Capitals reporter Tarik El-Bashir.
Article Continues BelowThe penalty led to a Maple Leafs power play, and Toronto took advantage. Auston Matthews scored his seventh goal on the young season to give his team a 4-0 lead. The Maple Leafs would eventually skate away with a 4-1 victory.
Perhaps that goal can give the Capitals and their fans hope, though. It was future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin who found the back of the net on the power play. It was his first goal of the season on his 13th shot of the game. His performance is a welcomed sight after he went back-to-back games without a shot on goal.
The Capitals are looking for answers for their slow start, and they'll need to find them soon. Washington is back in action on Wednesday, taking on their Metropolitan Division rival New Jersey Devils in New Jersey.