McPhee wants Boudreau back as Caps' coach

According to Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee, he expects Bruce Boudreau to return as the team's coach next season.

"I expect him to be back, yeah," McPhee told reporters on Thursday. "He's a good coach."

Despite finishing atop the Eastern Conference, the Capitals were swept from the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning, falling 5-3 in Game 4 on Wednesday.

The team has advanced to the playoffs each of Boudreau's four seasons, but has yet to get past the second round. The Caps are 17-20 in the playoffs under Boudreau.

However, that record doesn't faze McPhee.

"Someone said he's not a good playoff coach," McPhee said. "There's no difference between a playoff coach and regular-season coach. Either you're a good coach or you're not. He's a good coach."

The players also seem to want Boudreau to stay.

"This locker room is unbelievable," Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said following Game 4. "Everybody supports everybody. I hope this same team is going to be here next year."

"(This) doesn't fall on Bruce," added Brooks Laich. "We're the guys that play the game. I think Bruce, (assistant coaches) Dean (Evason) and Bob (Woods) -- I think we have a dream team of coaches. I think we're privileged to play for these guys. I think we're lucky to play for these guys. I've said it before -- any criticism directed toward them is totally unjust. They put the game plan together (and) it's up to the players to execute it. I can't say enough about our coaching staff. Like I said, I think they’re a dream team of coaches."