This week on the Puck Podcast we recap the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs including a #1 seed being eliminated, several overtime thrillers and one OT game that included a controversial call. We’ll also tell you about a setback for Sid the Kid, an NHL coach getting a new deal and this year’s finalists for the Hart Trophy and Jack Adams Awardplus give away another great t-shirt from Glassbangers.com, read your e-mails and a whole lot more.
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Hey guys,
I’m a big fan of your show, but as a longtime Caps fan I completely disagree with you guys about Boudreau for several reasons. First off, I think that strategically, he has gotten completely out-coached in several consecutive postseasons (whether it be by Boucher, Martin, or Bylsma.) A quick example of this here: the Caps complete failure to penetrate the Lightning’s 1-3-1 system in the 3rd periods of games (the Caps got outscored 7-2 in the 3rd period in the series.) Several times they were simply carrying the puck up ice, an adjustment that Boudreau must make.
Also, at a certain point, you have to wonder whether he lacks a certain kind of fire to get his team motivated when they need to. Its not like the Caps being good has suddenly happened yesterday, they’ve been a 3 seed or higher for 4 straight years now, and yet they are 17-20 in the postseason in that time (with every single one of those series coming against lower-seeded teams.) Even further, they are 1-3 in game 7’s, all of which have been at home.
I also disagree with your notion that we shouldn’t make alterations when we have a good thing going. I know that it can be tempting to draw the conclusion that Boudreau has been a great coach due to the regular season records, but look at the roster! Are you telling me that most head coaches in the league couldn’t be successful with Ovechkin, Backstrom (even though he struggled this postseason), Green, & co? I agree that roster moves must be made (getting some size and skill in the blue line AND getting a veteran goaltender come to mind) but I think the Caps roster is very talented and should be performing better in the postseason.
In conclusion, this team clearly needs to change something, and I tend to think the easiest solution is to bring in someone that knows defense and can show the Caps some discipline.
Greg, great post. We’ll try to read it on the show this week.