'We're In Desperation Mode.' Capitals Coach Sounds Alarm On The Team's Biggest Obstacle Heading Into The Final Game Before The Olympic Break

The Washington Capitals easily won the Metropolitan Division title last season. However, their present season is marred by uncertainty as they are still six points away from a Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. As reported by Deadspin, on Thursday night, they will face the Nashville Predators in a home game – but their coach,  Spencer Carbery, had a strong warning for the team.

We’re in desperation mode. We have been for a bit. It’s tight in the division, in the conference. … You come out of break and there’s only (23) games left in the whole season. We’re going to need to go on a significant run here, and we’ll finish off the right way, or try to do everything we can to finish the right way against Nashville.

For the Capitals, their last game was a significant blow to their Playoffs hopes. They were on a three-match-win streak before facing the Philadelphia Flyers. However, they ended up losing 4-2 to the Flyers, who scored in the power play after the game was tied. Once again, the team is backed up in a dangerous spot, which they want to get out of if they want to make it to the Playoffs.

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And The Team They Are Up Against Is Facing The Same Desperation

This will be the final game before the Olympic break. The Nashville Predators are in the same boat as the Capitals ahead of their Thursday night matchup. In the Western Conference, the Predators are four points short of a Playoffs spot. Their 6-5 overtime loss against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday makes them no better than the Capitals when it comes to their postseason hopes.

We’ve got three periods left. These points matter more to us than anyone in the league, and we know that. We know the position we’re in. We’ve just got to give it our all for three more periods and find a way to scratch out two points.

Fortunately for Nashville, the buildup to their game is slightly better compared to the Capitals. From dead last in the standings, they have clawed their way up to keep the Playoffs hopes alive. The Nashville Predators are a 6-3-3 in their last 12 games. Filip Forsberg is on a four-game streak, scoring five times in that duration. Even their goalkeeper, Juuse Saros, has improved his play.

The Predators’ captain, Roman Josi, is also leading the charge efficiently, claiming eight points in a three-game streak. “When I play my best, it’s not just offensively. I think I’m skating, I’m playing with a lot of energy.”