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Caps coach takes positives from fourth straight loss

Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin

Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal with teammate Alex Ovechkin #8 in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 25, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals are off to their worst start since 1993-94 after losing 3-2 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

Still, Capitals coach Adam Oates saw a silver lining in their latest defeat.

“I think tonight was an example of we did [work]. And it was great to see,” Oates said, according to the Washington Post.

“The first question was, we haven’t played for 60 minutes. Well, we did tonight. It was a lot of growing pains, if you will, but the guys did their job. You obviously want the win, but we did a lot of good things.”

Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth, 24, also earned praise after he kicked out 32 of 35 shots on Friday.

“He really gave us a chance,” Oates said. “And throughout the whole game, we got behind and we didn’t crumble today.”

Forward Joel Ward echoed his coach’s comments, calling Neuvirth’s performance “outstanding.”

Nevertheless, the Washington Capitals are 0-3-1 to start the shortened season. They will host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday (3:00 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center).