Photo: Bill Smith/NHL via Getty Images

After the Washington Capitals fell to the Chicago Blackhawks, the worst team in the NHL, 8-5 for their fifth consecutive loss (0-4-1) and fourth straight loss in regulation, on Sunday afternoon, the players held a “players only meeting” for the first time this season. 

Caps had their first players’ meeting of the season after that one.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 20, 2019

During the losing streak — the Capitals’ longest since November 2014 when Barry Trotz was just beginning his tenure as head coach, the team has been outscored 23-9 and has given up at least seven goals in a game twice in that span. Caps forwards have scored only 4 goals during that five-game stretch.

The loss to the Blackhawks dropped the Capitals to third in the Metropolitan Divison, though they are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets with the second-most points in the division and are one point behind Trotz’s New York Islanders for first.

Captain Alex Ovechkin has just one goal and three points over the losing streak while center Nicklas Backstrom has one goal and two points. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov has one goal and two points in addition to a -6 rating over the past three games, forward T.J. Oshie has one goal and three points, and forward Tom Wilson has no points over that span.

Capitals head coach Todd Reirden called the team’s recent defensive play “unacceptable” after Sunday’s loss.

“Winning streak or losing streak, we have to be better defensively…. This game, the Nashville game, it’s unacceptable.” HC Todd Reirden following #ALLCAPS 8-5 defeat vs. #Blackhawks. #Caps have lost 5-straight @CapitalsRadio

— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) January 20, 2019

Oshie said that the team has to start taking more pride in their game again while goaltender Braden Holtby, who was pulled in the second period against the Blackhawks after allowing four goals on 11 shots, said that the Capitals have to stop thinking that just showing up is going to be enough.

Capitals’ T.J. Oshie: “We need to refocus and start taking more pride in playing the right way.”

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) January 20, 2019

Strong words from Braden Holtby: “I think right now, our biggest battle is going to be making sure we’re not complacent. It’s one of those things that’s going to be hard, getting over the fact that last year is last year.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 20, 2019

Over the past two seasons, the Capitals are 4-0-0 in games following a closed-door meeting.

Carly keepin’ it real. pic.twitter.com/xtVlALbxI1

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019

With two games left before the team has their annual bye-week, things don’t get easier as both of those games are against powerhouse teams. Washington hosts the San Jose Sharks, the hottest team in the NHL, on Tuesday before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs, another one of the league’s top teams, before their nine-day break.

By Harrison Brown