Capitals dismiss Reirden after 2 seasons
The Washington Capitals relieved coach Todd Reirden of his duties on Sunday, a move that came after two consecutive seasons of first-round playoff disappointment for the organization. Reirden took over in Washington after the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup run but never found success in the postseason as a head coach.
Reirden, who was the 18th coach in franchise history and the only person interviewed for the head coaching job two years ago, finished with a 15189-46 regular season record. The Capitals finished atop the Metropolitan Division both years.
“I think the first year he did a good job,” general manager Brian MacLellan said f Reirden. “There was some stuff that we tried to work through. Probably Christmas this year, you could see the style of play started to deteriorate. Our team game wasn’t as good as it had been. It was going in the wrong direction. Our compete level was in and out, so we had some inconsistencies and I think it just built from there. We started to find it maybe a little bit, but I think the inconsistent play continued into the bubble and we paid the price at the end.”
Reirden, 49, failed to record a playoff series win as Washington’s head coach, losing to Carolina in 2019 then to the New York Islanders in 2020. The Islanders, now coached by Barry Trotz, dispatched the Capitals in five games this year. Trotz coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup but left amid a contract dispute.
Reirden was on Trotz’s coaching staff and was promoted after Trotz’s departure.
Sunday’s game
Bruins 3, Lightning 2: Charlie Coyle, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand scored as Boston held off Tampa Bay in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference best-of-seven semifinal in Toronto. Victor Hedman scored both goals for the Lightning in the third period.