Capitals Varlamov and Semin remain upbeat after loss

October 9, 2:50 AMWashington Capitals ExaminerDmitry Chesnokov

How are you feeling mentally two days after a tough loss?

I am OK. Of course it is bad that we lost for the second time in a row, especially at home in front of our own fans. We just have to start winning again. But I myself feel alright. As for the next games, we haven’t been told yet who will start, but we’re all getting ready. We have a serious away game against the Detroit Red Wings coming up. It is a serious team.

As for your game, Bruce Boudreau said that it’s more in your head, that you get down on yourself.

I don’t have a reason. Bruce is the coach… I don’t know why it happens. It’s just the moments when one goes in and then another and another. But it’s not like I have a problem, not like I fixate myself on it. I only think about my overall unreliable game.

Weasked you a couple of weeks ago about it, but there are more people saying that you have a problem playing with your glove.

I think it’s you, the media, who are outing it in my head that I have problems. I only hear it from you that I have a problem with my glove. There is no problem. Everything is alright.

Do you feel that maybe sometimes you’re a little over-aggressive when you come out for a shot leaving the far post open, like in one of Mike Richards’ goals the other night?

At that play I didn’t see the pass that went to the far post. Aggressive or not, I am just playing my game.

Could it be the sophomore slump?

I didn’t really have a rookie season to have a sophomore slump. I just have to work on the psychological side. I don’t even know what to say.

Unfortunately, we couldn't speak with Arturs Irbe after the game to find out more about Varlamov's struggles.

Alexander Semin scored a goal (after a beautiful pass from Brian Pothier) and added an assist to his points total catching his countryman and teammate Alex Ovechkin in both categories. Nicklas Backstrom leads the league with 10 points. But here is what Semin had to say about tonight's game.

For the second game in a row there seem to be problems with discipline. Even Boyd Gordon, who hardly ever takes a penalty, was in the penalty box for the second time this week.

I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s like a swing – we play and then we don’t. At first everything goes well and everything happens for us, and then we just freeze. I don’t know what the explanation is for it.

Your power play unit seemed to click in the first couple of games of the season. And now, even tonight a few times, there were some changes.

I am the wrong person to ask this question. This is for the coach. I play wherever the coach puts me.

Are you happy with your own game?

It’s not bad overall. I had my chances tonight and should have shot more when I tried to beat a player with a move. Henrik Lundqvist made some good saves too, especially in the first period against Alex [Ovechkin]. We were just a bit unlucky tonight.

What’s the mood like in the locker room after a back-to-back loss?

What should it be like? It’s just the beginning of the season. I don’t think there is anything terrible happening. We have a long way to go, and I believe everything will be alright in the end.

The Capitals seem to struggle against the Rangers.

I think we just play them a lot, including the playoffs last year. I think we both know each other pretty well. They know us well too.

Does the team feel less confident because you give up a lot of goals?

Why would we be less confident? We just have to score more. If you are always scared that you will concede a goal, the puck will definitely go in against you.

For more info: Check out Examiner.com Michael Hoffman's game recap including a few details about the post-game press conference.