Bruce Boudreau

Somebody had a case of the Mondays.

The New York Islanders, at least, will have a quick turnaround after one of their worst performance’s of the season. After a dismal 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, the
Islanders travel to the nation’s capital to play the red hot Washington Capitals.

Washington, winners of seven straight at the Verizon Center, come into the contest off a 2-1 home victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. They haven’t trailed in a game at home since December 13th. In 22 games since Bruce Boudreau was replaced by Dale Hunter, the Capitals have gone 12-9-1 playing themselves into a 1st place tie with the Florida Panthers in the Southeast Division.

After a hot 7-0 start to the season, the Washington Capitals and their sky-high expectations were off and running. 

Then the rest of the league caught up, sending the Capitals into tailspin searching for answers, a tailspin that included a 5-7-1 November record, with just one game left on Tuesday. 

The scapegoat of the tailspin is coach Bruce Boudreau, who was relived of his coaching duties early Monday. Former Caps captain Dale Hunter has been named head coach, he was present at practice on Monday afternoon. 

Boudreau will be a tough act to follow, however, as he led the Caps to the playoffs in each of his four full sea...