They've yet to come up with an answer for what went wrong in Game 7, when they faded after a decent start and provided little pushback in the third period after Hornqvist's goal gave the Penguins 2-0 lead.
The dark cloud from that defeat hung over the Capitals throughout a summer of key departures that included forwards Justin Williams and Marcus Johansson, and defensemen Karl Alzner, Kevin Shattenkirk and Nate Schmidt. It remained when training camp began.
It wasn't until their 2017-18 season opener against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 5 that they snapped out of it. Three third-period goals from Ovechkin helped them rally from 3-1 and pull out a 5-4 shootout victory.
"Until the last period of Game 7, in our minds we were going to the Stanley Cup [Final] and we were going to win it," Oshie said. "So the next time you get out and the [preseason] games points-wise don't really matter, I think it took us a little longer to get that focus back. But I think Game 1 [at Ottawa], it came back pretty quick. Ovi did a good job of helping that along for us."
Ovechkin has a remarkable eight goals in the Capitals' first four games, including one that pulled them within 3-2 with 7:09 remaining on Wednesday. But the Capitals have some obvious holes, particularly on defense.
Christian Djoos had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut Wednesday, but it remains to be seen if at 6-feet, 169 pounds he can hold up to the League's physical grind or play well enough in his own end.
The Penguins, who have rebounded with consecutive wins since a 10-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 5, have holes to fill too. They probably will look to upgrade their bottom two lines, particularly third-line center.