lost to former coach Barry Trotz’s New York Islanders in a five-game series.Washington opted to promote Reirden from the top assistant job and let Trotz leave rather than give him a raise after winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Reirden likely would have left to seek a head coaching position elsewhere.Trotz’s Islanders reached the second round of the postseason for a second consecutive season.
The Capitals failed to advance past the first in back-to-back years for the first time since 2013 and 2014.The Capitals are still considered championship contenders, and captain Alex Ovechkin has one year remaining on his contract.“We have higher expectations for our team, and we felt a fresh approach in leadership was necessary,” MacLellan said. “Todd.