The Capitals removed the interim tag from coach Bruce Boudreau’s title on Wednesday, naming him permanent head coach after 35 days with the team.
Then a good day became even better as the Caps won Boudreau’s first non-interim game behind the bench, a 3-2 victory over Southeast Division rival Tampa Bay at Verizon Center.
Boudreau, 52, took over Thanksgiving Day from Glen Hanlon, who was fired after posting a 6-14-1 record to start the season. With the win, the Caps are now 8-5-3 under Boudreau and improved to 14-19-4 overall with 32 points. That’s just one fewer than the Lightning (15-19-3, 33 points), who sit 14th in the Eastern Conference.
“The goal when you take the job is to be here a long time,” said Boudreau, who had coached Washington’s AHL affiliate in Hershey, Pa. since 2005 and led the Bears to a Calder Cup championship. “My job is to win and then re-evaluate everything at the end of the year. Until further notice I’m here.”
The Caps have played markedly better over the last five weeks under Boudreau. They are averaging 0.8 goals per game more in a system that encourages an aggressive forecheck. Both the power play — now 17th in NHL at 16.5 percent — and the penalty kill — now 16th at 81.8 percent — have also improved.
“Bruce has done a terrific job for us at the minor-league level. We know him well. We’ve watched him operate there,” said Caps general manager George McPhee, who does not disclose contract details. “Some people change when they get to this level. He hasn’t. We really like the way he took control right off the bat.”
Tampa Bay star forward Vincent LeCavalier scored a pair of goals. Forward David Steckel banged home a shot in the first period for his third goal of the season, all against Tampa Bay. He also added two assists, including one on the game-winner at 17:07 of the third period as forward Matt Bradley poked home a rebound to put the Caps ahead for the first time.
