East Semis: #1 Washington vs #5 Tampa Bay

[caps87]

Well sh!t. Definitely didnt see that coming. But Tampa wanted it way more, and we were so badly outcoached it wasnt even funny. Boucher did a great job running the show and Tampa really took it to us. In no way did the Caps deserve anything more than a sweep. Our defense, aside from Erskine and Hannan, was horrendous. But congrats to Tampa for the win and for running Boudreau out of town. You guys definitely earned the sweep.

[BondraDaBomb]

But congrats to Tampa for the win and for running Boudreau out of town.

Boudreau deserves, ATLEAST, another year as coach. I mean, comeon, In his first 4 years in the bigs he has won the Southeast EVERY YEAR! He has won the Jack Adams award and a president's trophy. To say that those achievements mean nothing is rediculous. Other teams would absofcukinglutely love to have a coach that could produce like that.

BB just needs an offseason of work with GMGM and Leonsis to go out and build a tough blueline. This year he had to try to mold guys that aren't typically defensive, into guys that can hold it down when things get tough.
And it worked for a long time, but when things got tough those guys reverted back to their 20+ years of hockey training that tells them to score score score.

Bruce is the man. He needs some offseasons to build around a new system.

[mikebflorida]

Originally Posted by BondraDaBomb

Boudreau deserves, ATLEAST, another year as coach. I mean, comeon, In his first 4 years in the bigs he has won the Southeast EVERY YEAR! He has won the Jack Adams award and a president's trophy. To say that those achievements mean nothing is rediculous. Other teams would absofcukinglutely love to have a coach that could produce like that.

BB just needs an offseason of work with GMGM and Leonsis to go out and build a tough blueline. This year he had to try to mold guys that aren't typically defensive, into guys that can hold it down when things get tough.
And it worked for a long time, but when things got tough those guys reverted back to their 20+ years of hockey training that tells them to score score score.

Bruce is the man. He needs some offseasons to build around a new system.

The NHL is a pretty fickle place. BB has had time to build a winner, he has the best player on the planet(in many people's opinion), he has a good goalie, and other good players, he SHOULD be successful but despite all the tools he has to work with, he can't take them to the next level, this much is obvious.

I am clearly not a fan of his but will call a spade, a spade, he's a pretty good coach who made the wrong decisions this season and that should get him the gate. if I were the owner and has the goods to work with and has paid out the big bucks to win, I'll replace the coach who can't get it done and find one who can.

Another year? Well, the GM better make some really smart moves in a few areas if BB gets another chance. maybe another year under his new system will help but I'll tell you what, I'd rather be a run and gun team that scores a lot than a defensive team with the same record and results in the playoffs. Trying to turn AO into a defensive player is retarded, he clearly can't do that.

Just sayin.....

[BENNETTWOLF]

Congratulations to TB and, by extension, their fans as all the southeast division teams have had their share of issues in the last few years. I'm happy for all the diehard lightning fans.

Really good team effort. From the top 3 lines and blueline too. Eric Brewer and Ohlund must be picking up a fan or two as well as the outstanding 3rd line. Nice to see Vinny play well along with St Louis..............the long term stalwarts.

At 43, it's hard not to root for a 41 year old.

Congrats, Look forward to beating the piss out of a few guys next year until we choke (or dissapoint, whatever it is) again

[BENNETTWOLF]

As far as Boudreau, i wonder what the top ten list in all major sports is of coaches with the highest career winning% is............to be fired, if it occurs?

[Fatt Patt]

I don't understand why some are getting so defensive about Tampa's fans, all teams get bandwagon fans at this point. All I'm saying is I have never seen that many Lightning fans there as I have now. I don't want to get into a back and forth with you, but there is no way you could convince me that Florida is deserving of 2 teams.

Refer to this thread: Bettman's Sh*tty Markets

[Isles4life]

Congrats to the Lightning on a very unexpected series result. I know there was a significant chunk of people who did think they'd emerge victorious from the series, but I don't think any would have predicted a sweep. An immensely disappointing performance by Washington after they looked pretty good in round 1.

[caps87]

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis says he understands that fans will "demand change" after the team was swept out of the playoffs, but he suggests the "best course of action" is to let a few days pass.

But if changes will be made, coach Bruce Boudreau does not appear to be one of them.

Capitals general manager George McPhee said Thursday he expects Boudreau to be back next season.

Top-seeded Washington lost four straight against the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Expect the same result next year then.

[illukka]

caps are just 1 mean big defender and 1 capable goalie away from cup IMO. lose a few russians and swedes, get a couple of muckers and grinders =>profit. i dont see neuvirth/varlamov duo winning the big one anytime soon..

for example antti niemi was up for grabs last offseason.. and he wasnt the only goalie moved

[theknuckler]

too bad the gov. caught wind of the capitals steroid supplier. they'd def. be in the finals this year if they didn't catch on.
on the positive side, they can now go to their countries and load up until training camp starts.

[Costanza]

I have no idea of the actual top 10 list BW, but i imagine Mike Keenan would be on it at least once. The hawks won a ton of games under him and lost once in the finals. His tenure in Philly might also qualify.

[FightingIsGood]

GMGM said today that Bruce McRib can keep his job if he wants it, guaranteeing that the Caps will not win the Cup next year either.

[Redtown]

Originally Posted by Bruins29

So...the Washington Ovechkin's choked again in the playoffs.

(Yawn)

Actually its the Washington Ovechkin (not plural) since AO is the most selfish player on this team. How many times can a player turn the puck over at the blue line before a lightbulb goes off is someone's head?

[BondraDaBomb]

Actually its the Washington Ovechkin (not plural) since AO is the most selfish player on this team. How many times can a player turn the puck over at the blue line before a lightbulb goes off is someone's head?

The guy is definately a selfish player, but I wouldn't argue that that is always a bad thing. A goalscorer is a goalscorer, and most good teams need to have that guy who takes a sh!tton of shots.

I did see him try to pass more this year though, like in 2 on 1s he would give and go and make the last pass instead of taking the shot. I would actually prefer him take the shots in that situation. But you're right about the blueline, especially in this TB series

[dodge8954]

Kinda with the caps and lightning could of played the last 3 games just for the hell of it cause this layoff is killing me