Caps Give Boudreau A More Lasting Title

Team Rewards Coach, Removes 'Interim'

The Washington Capitals removed the "interim" from Coach Bruce Boudreau's title yesterday after a five-week evaluation period in which he guided the last-place club to a 7-5-3 record, and the team responded by making that record one better.

"There was just something about it that seemed to fit and feel right," General Manager George McPhee said before last night's 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. "We just wanted an opportunity to watch him at this level and see how he would do, watch him in action."

The players were informed of the decision before taking the ice for the pregame skate yesterday morning. A few minutes later, Boudreau admonished them for their weak effort in New York on Saturday, then closed by saying, "We're going to play our systems to a 'T,' work hard every night, crash the net and have fun. And it begins tonight."

Boudreau's impromptu talk lasted less than a minute, but it cut to the very core of his coaching style: He's tough and demanding, yet manages to remain upbeat and reassuring, often in the same conversation.

So far, it's worked.

"I've always told the [players] that my door is always open for you," said Boudreau, a 52-year-old Toronto native who replaced Glen Hanlon on Nov. 22 after the Capitals got off to their worst start in 26 years. "You just might not like what you hear when you come in and ask the question."

Boudreau's honesty and policy of holding everyone accountable, from star players to veterans, has won the respect of the Capitals' locker room. Meantime, his knowledge of the game's nuances, gained through 15 seasons and more than 1,000 games behind the bench in the minor leagues, has won games.

Entering last night, Washington's power play had spiked from a meager 14.6 percent effectiveness rate under Hanlon to 19.4 under Boudreau. The penalty kill had shown similar improvement, jumping from 78.2 percent to 87.5 percent. The biggest turnaround, though, has been on offense; Washington is averaging three goals per game, up from 2.2.

Boudreau and McPhee declined to discuss contract details, but it's believed that Boudreau's status will be revisited after the season.

"My job is to win," Boudreau said, "and we'll reevaluate everything at the end of the year."

McPhee also declined to say whether he had interviewed anyone else for the position in recent weeks, but he gave the impression that he had.

"We spent a lot of time," McPhee said. "I just wanted time to consider everything -- and we have."

In the end, though, the answer was already in Washington, McPhee said.

"Some people change when they get to this level," McPhee added. "He hasn't. We really like the way he took control, and he's got our team playing well."

Last week, many players voiced their support for Boudreau being named the coach for the remainder of the season. Last night, several said the overwhelming sense in the locker room was relief that there wouldn't be another coaching change this season and excitement for Boudreau, a man who has paid his dues.

"He puts in our mind that we're going to win every night," said defenseman Mike Green, who won the 2006 Calder Cup under Boudreau in Hershey. "Personally I knew he would be at this level at some point. For him to get the okay, that he's the guy, it's great and I'm very proud of him."

Boudreau said losing the interim tag won't change anything about the way he operates.

"I'm very appreciative," he said. "But by no means does this mean that there's any comfortability in my situation."