Jim Turner

Turnersportsdesk.com

April 4, 2010

Imagine you are the coach of the most talented offensive hockey team in the league. Your team averages an NHL best 3.83 goals per game, has the #1 power play in the league and (as of today) has 44 more goals than the second place team. So how do you get a team so offensively gifted to place more emphasis on defense? The answer to that question could spell the difference between the Washington Caps hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup or bowing out early in the playoffs again.  I’ve seen Caps Head Coach, Bruce Boudreau speak about defense (or the lack there of) until his tongue got tired.  No doubt Boudreau has had conversations with his habitual curl and draggers about the pluses of not turning over the puck and putting your defense/goalie in bad spots. Yes they are playing better defensively of late but the quality (or lack there of) of the opponents has to factor in to that assessment as well. 

I'm sure the Caps players have read it/heard it and remembered the sting of it as they left the ice minus the cup last season. Although it may not seem like it Boudreau is on the hot seat. This is year three of his tenure and if the Caps are bounced from the playoffs this season because of the same self induced problems (puck focus at the cost of proper positioning, poor decision making in the defensive zone, not going to the net, playing cute hockey) then it is always easier to replace a coach than a roster. There are coaches out there that can institute a more disciplined and structured game without taking away the Caps offensive prowess. The proof as they say is always in the results so if Boudreau's Caps are hoisting the Cup in the end then obviously he is vindicated. On the other hand, if the Caps bow out early again to an inferior opponent then you have to wonder if his voice has become white noise to his players. If Boudreau cannot get the Caps to the next level it may be time for someone else.