They just weren't able to put a third goal past goalie Braden Holtby.
"You can get down on yourself and pack it in, but that's not what this group in here does," Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce said. "We keep going and just keep playing our game."
Although the Hurricanes had plenty to be happy about with their 5-on-5 play, they need to be better on special teams. They allowed goals on the Capitals' first two power plays and managed only one shot on goal in their two power plays in the final 8:46 of the third period, including 57 seconds of 6-on-4 when Mrazek was on the bench for an extra attacker.
But they were pleased with the process, if not the result.
"You need to (be), for sure," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "It's hard to sell that right now. Guys are pretty disappointed. We played hard, certainly don't fault that. The execution on some things wasn't great. We had a couple guys that need to be better, for sure, if we're going to beat the best team.
"But at the same time that's a positive for me, that we weren't at our best and still kind of had a chance to win."