Capitals lose to the Coyotes 5-2, a potentially decisive defeat days before the NHL trade deadline [Video]

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was difficult for Washington Capitals players to explain why they started slow, lost their composure and ultimately their game to the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 on Sunday, given what was at stake.

With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching and sitting on the fringe of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, the disappointing performance wasted a valuable opportunity against one of the NHL’s bottom five teams. The Capitals fell behind 2-0, gave up a goal 43 seconds after cutting that deficit in half, had two veterans penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and lost to an opponent that had just one win in the past 5 1/2 weeks.