ARLINGTON, Va. – Tuned out by his players, coach Bruce Boudreau was fired by the Washington Capitals on Monday after winning 200 games faster than any coach in modern NHL history but stumbling regularly in the playoffs despite a talent-laden lineup featuring two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin.
Boudreau was replaced by former Capitals captain Dale Hunter, who was greeted by loud cheers from more than 100 fans when he skated onto the ice at Monday’s practice. Hunter, never before a coach in the NHL, will make his debut behind the bench Tuesday night when Washington hosts the St. Louis Blues to begin a three-game homestand.
“This was simply a case of the players were no longer responding to Bruce. When you see that, as much as you don’t want to make a change, you have to make a change,” general manager George McPhee said.
“Bruce came in here and emptied the tank. He gave it everything he could and did a really good job, but the tank was empty,” McPhee added. “When that happens, you get a new coach, where the tank is full and see if it makes a difference.”
Hired four years ago on Thanksgiving Day, Boudreau went 201-88-40 in the regular
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