Stuck in a rare rut, the Washington Capitals aren't at all ready to press the panic button.

Saturday's loss to Los Angeles was the Caps' third in a row, and suddenly, the seemingly insurmountable lead they built at the top of the Metropolitan Division has shrunk to a one-point gap over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Despite the recent slide, Washington isn't panicking. Instead, it's embracing the challenge of meaningful games before the postseason.

"There's obviously frustration, but we can't whine and cry about it like babies," Justin Williams told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. "We've lost three in a row. Big deal. Pick it up and get the next one. The good news is, there's usually another game in hockey the next day."

Williams, a three time Stanley Cup champion who's appropriately been deemed "Mr. Game Seven" for his knack to step up in the playoffs, knows more than anybody it's better lose a few games in March rather than in April or May.

The Capitals are stuck in a funk offensively, only amassing six goals in their trio of losses - a significant decrease from the 3.21 tallies per game they've averaged throughout the season - but bench boss Barry Trotz is taking a positive outlook.

"It hasn't come as easy as it has earlier in the year, but that's okay," Trotz said. "We need it to be a little bit rocky. ... We're in a little bit of a playoff race right now, and that's fantastic."

Fortunately for Washington, concluding its California trip Sunday in Anaheim offers a quick opportunity to rediscover the win column.

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