In a 0-0 tie at the start of the third period, the wheels came off the Capitals cart rather quickly, and just like that the game was gone. Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov committed two critical errors that led to the quick collapse. 

Orlov’s first miscue came at the 16:50 mark of the final frame, following an expired Capitals power play. Orlov would turn the puck over in the neutral zone, which led to an Islanders break-away goal.

.@ShanePrince18‘s goal put the #Isles on the board and got things going in the third! pic.twitter.com/lpii9wBBI3

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 2, 2016

Orlov’s second miscue would lead to a goal by the Islander’s Brock Nelson. Orlov would make a careless pass to the front of his own goal, which directly led to the goal.

.@bnelson coming in 🔥🔥🔥. #Isles pic.twitter.com/I6Z7387k5I

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 2, 2016

Immediately following the loss to the Islanders, Orlov admirably faced the media. Orlov would not dodge any of the media’s questions, nor shed any blame. Orlov stood tall and admitted his mistakes.

Orlov: “Today, we lost because of my two mistakes.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 2, 2016

Trotz on Orlov: “I’m pretty happy with Orly for the most part all year.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 2, 2016

Video of Orlov interview: ( in video after Niskanen and Vrana media sessions):

Matt Niskanen, Jakub Vrana, Dmitry Orlov and Braden Holtby talk after a 3-0 loss against the New York Islanders. #CapsIsles#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/7LCQtuxWJm

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 2, 2016

Coach Trotz met with the media following the game. He was asked about Orlov’s mistakes, in which he responded “We all make mistakes”.

Head Coach Barry Trotz addresses the media after tonight’s 3-0 loss to the Islanders. #CapsIsles pic.twitter.com/dyOppR55vB

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 2, 2016

By Jon Sorensen

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With one year left in MacLellan's "two year window", @NoVa_Caps looks at Trotz' spot in what might be the biggest year in franchise history.

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