The Washington Capitals are in unfamiliar territory.
Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the first-place Edmonton Oilers marked the first time in 19 months the Capitals have lost back-to-back games in regulation, and the club is aiming to quickly rebound.
"Hockey is testing us right now a bit, which is good," netminder Braden Holtby told Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post. "I think a little bit of adversity never hurts to build a team."
Washington hardly struggled last season, coasting to the Presidents' Trophy before a second-round elimination at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Capitals didn't play particularly badly versus the Oilers, outshooting Edmonton 35-29, but the loss created a peculiar feeling among the team nonetheless as Washington sits 3-2-1 on the season.
"Guys need to do their jobs," defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "It was a little uncomfortable in here tonight after the game. So, we'll regroup."
Washington continues its western road trip Saturday against Vancouver.