For part of Monday night, the Washington Capitals stunk. For other parts, they tried desperately to remain with the Carolina Hurricanes — and just about did. But think about that for a second. It feels as if the Capitals are merely trying to hold on to this second-round Stanley Cup playoff series with the tips of their fingernails as the Hurricanes rip it away from them.

The Washington Capitals are far from being in all-out crisis, but hopes for their season definitely don’t look good. After a staggering 4-0 loss in Raleigh on Saturday it’s become apparent that whatever strategy this team brought into the series simply isn’t working.

The Hurricanes will go to Washington for Game 5 on Thursday with a chance to close out the second-round Stanley Cup playoff series, but expect to see Capitals’ best.