Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau knocked New York Rangers fan down a couple notches during a Monday morning interview on 105.9 The Edge’s Kirk and Mike Show. Boudreau slammed the illustrious Madison Square Garden and its fans in the interview and even called out the Rangers for putting “a dirty shot” on Mike Green.
D.C. Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg transcribed Bruce’s comments in a blog post on Monday morning.
“Well, the one thing, its reputation is far better than the actual building,” the coach said. “I mean, it’s nothing. The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything. But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building’s a lot louder, too. So I mean, they can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.”
Surely, New York fans are furious with Washington’s coach for his shots as their beloved MSG and would love to live up to their obnoxious reputation during game four on Wednesday.
Boudreau’s comments shouldn’t surprise or worry any Capitals fan. The Caps coach is known for his snide remarks at opponents and typically the Capitals respond in his favor. Take for instance Bruce’s comments about Tampa Bay’s Steve Stamkos and Steve Downie in which he said they “dive every two seconds.” All Washington did to respond was hang on to first in Southeast with a 2-1 shootout win with Braden Holtby called upon as the emergency goaltender.
Bruce has also provided bulletin board material for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year, calling Matt Cooke dirty after a cheap shot on Alex Ovechkin. The Caps are 3-1 against Pittsburgh this season.
Cooke isn’t the only player Bruce is upset with, the Caps coach said that New York “targeted Mike’s [Green] head” in Sunday’s 3-2 loss. “They target it a few times,” he said according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.
The guy’s in a vulnerable position and he hits the head. That’s exactly what we’re trying to get out of the league. And Staal comes in, there’s no puck, he takes his arm, he swings it at [Green’s] head, but it’s all forgotten because we score a goal to tie the game up.
Man. That’s an awful lot of smack talk for Washington to live up to. With a 2-1 lead, a win at the Garden on Wednesday would certainly look good for the Capitals as they look to end the series at home.
A few things:
Stall’s not a dirty player.
AO leaves his feet MANY times a game when hitting.
In the game in question I saw AO cross check a player well after the whistle. Maybe you should talk about that.
If your player is too vulnerable to play the game, sit him out. If not don’t expect the other team treat him differently.
MSG is one of the older buildings in the league. Maybe you haven’t heard, they are renovating the place – I’m sure that includes the locker rooms. Although I wouldn’t mind of they made the visitors locker rooms even less accommodating.
I don’t think the Stall hit was dirty, but I don’t think Boudreau would be doing his job if he didn’t complain, it’s normal behavior for him, and it’s been proven to work, on not only his players but the refs also.
I have been watching Mike Green since he started playing in the NHL, and about half way through the first season he led the NHL in scoring for a defenseman he started being a target of every team, and I know he’s used to it, and doesn’t expect anything less…
What is Boudreau even trying to say by making these comments? His rant against MSG and Ranger fans only sounds anxious and childish. He’s obviously nervous that they have lost a crucial game, and in my opinion is trying to distract the fans, media, and players from the real situation. I find it irresponsible for the head coach of a professional sports team to talk trash like this, especially when compared to Tortorella, who’s main focus is on how to win the next game and maintain the momentum, not to compare average decibel rates of each arena.
This certainly IS a lot of smack talk for the Caps to live up to, especially since it gives Rangers fans more reason to be LOUDER THAN EVER and stuff it right back in DC’s face. Maybe HBO face time has gone to this man’s head?
What a huge mistake. This Mickey Rooney looking guy thinks by saying this, he takes the pressure off his players and fans go after him. Wrong. The Ranger fans will be on the Caps big time.
Does this guy really want to compare DC with NY? Your kidding right? NYC has better museums ( props to the Smithsonian) , restaurants, views, clubs, food, bars, you name it. DC? probably wins in the category of most crack houses, prostitutes and more elaborately dressed pimps.
@Paul Barba –
Heyyy u dip shit. DC is much better and the caps will kick the rangers ass…. SMD
New Yankee Stadium. Citi Field. And the old Dump known as Madison Square Garden. Don’t give me the crap about “history”, etc. The Garden is a aging, old dump.
Paul Barba – How many of DC’s “crackhouses” and “crackwhores” have you visited? Looks like you know your way around the “seedy” parts of a city…
“Dressed Pimps”???? What is a “Dressed Pimp”???? This coming from you Paul Barba who dresses in a “Tube Top”, “Terry Cloth” shorts, “Leg Warmers” and a “bandanna” while rocking the streets at night… Quite the fashion you are…