He started a goalie on 24 hours rest. He let aging vets play just 24 hours later, instead of giving younger guys some ice.
Laviolette used to be a good coach other places. He is has been a poor coach with the Capitals.
As Koken said, if you think this was on Kuemper you should stop watching hockey and start watching the XFL because you don’t have a clue.
He started his #1 goaltender who faced a whopping 25 shots yesterday in a must win game today. It’s really not that hard to understand. The team was 1-5-1 before today in the back half of back to backs with Lindgren starting everyone of those games. That is, according to my notes… bad. Pretty bad, if you want to be generous. And you’re angry because he tried something different to give them a better chance?
And I’m sure starting Protas for Eller or NAK and Alexeyev for McIlrath or Irwin would have really made up for his top two lines getting caved in the entire game at even strength. Answer this honestly: do you think playing Protas and Alexeyev today makes the difference? Do you think they win if Protas and Alexeyev are in the lineup?
To make you less mad, just remember no coach is making this roster a contender. They are old and injured and their highest paid players have been outplayed by castoffs and waiver wire pickups. Maybe channel your anger elsewhere? Bruce nor Barry nor Scotty Bowman is winning anything with this year’s roster.