Its all the same thing. Either the players arent given the right game plan or arent motivated to provide execution and effort. The Trotz/Reirden Caps style of hockey doesnt come together quickly. Its both complicated and requires quick, precise movement. If its not sharp, its not good. It needs repetition to be sharp. The Caps dont tend to hit their stride til 20 games into a season. I think people are not entering that into their thinking.
This is a good team that is built to play its best a certain way and it takes a month or two of playing regular to play that certain way with quality.
It doesnt help that the team has 3 top 4 defensemen. Once of which is a short timer with the team and still trying to find his way in their style of game