Mitchell Marner scored 1:35 into Game 1, and Washington trailed 2-0 before the first period ended. The Capitals understandably were not happy with their start, and a few players admitted that Toronto's intensity from the start was a little surprising. Though they weren't rattled by trailing early, Washington doesn't want to repeat those mistakes.
"There was a lot of looseness in our game, especially early," coach Barry Trotz said. "We've got to get that fixed up and tightened up. If we come out with the urgency that we need tonight, then hopefully you'll see a more complete game and go from there."