Washington Capitals tab Peter Laviolette as new head coach
WASHINGTON - Less than one month after the Washington Capitals fired head coach Todd Reirden in the wake of a second straight early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, the team has tabbed a new man to take the reins.
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The Capitals have tabbed veteran Peter Laviolette, the franchise confirmed Tuesday morning.
Laviolette has 18 years experience in the NHL – most recently five years on the Nashville Predators bench.
"I'm thankful and excited for the opportunity to lead this hockey club. This is a winning organization with high expectations. I look forward to coaching this tremendous group of players and bringing my experience and vision to the team," Laviolette said.
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Three years removed from the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup win, the Capitals are looking to restore their recent glory while 34-year-old star Alex Ovechkin is still on the ice.
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Laviolette has won one Stanley Cup championship when he was head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
The 55-year-old coach has been two other finals - once with Philadelphia in 2010, and then again with Nashville in 2017.