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Boudreau raises stakes, makes Semin a healthy scratch

Alexander Semin

Washington Capitals’ Alexander Semin, of Russia, reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Say this about Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau: If he’s going to get fired, he’s going to get fired his way.

Mike Vogel of Caps365 is reporting that Alex Semin is going to be a healthy scratch tonight when Washington faces Phoenix. This will be the first time Semin’s been a healthy scratch since his rookie season -- 2003-04 -- setting up another chapter in Boudreau’s soon-to-be-written memoir, My Way or the Highway: Memories of a Caps Coach.

On its own, benching Semin isn’t that bold and/or surprising. The Caps could use a shakeup having lost three straight, and Semin has struggled this year. He has just four goals and nine points, but leads the team in penalty minutes and minor penalties (Boudreau said he’s earned the reputation for taking penalties) -- partly why he was benched during a game against New Jersey last week.

Logically speaking, Boudreau only had one punishment left after benching Semin, and that was to make him a healthy scratch.

So here we are.

In the big picture, the move is bold. Despite the season being just 18 games old, Boudreau has already sent a series of stern messages: He benched Alex Ovechkin, bag-skated the team, demoted Mike Knuble to the fourth line, created a mini-goalie controversy and made Marcus Johansson a healthy scratch. Dropping Semin from the lineup re-affirms that Boudreau isn’t backing down from his hard-line stance. If anything, he’s becoming more aggressive.

I wrote this earlier, but it bears repeating:

Some will applaud Boudreau for taking a hard-line stance on a team where inmates have been accused of running the asylum. (Come on, you saw HBO’s 24/7). And it’s probably the right move, given his uncertain job status.

That said, don’t forget the rub. Coaches only have a few motivational tools in the box, and even fewer opportunities to use them. Rather than using them all before the end of November, Boudreau might want to consider saving some for when the Capitals traditionally need them (read: April and beyond.)

The danger for Boudreau is when players tire of his constant haranguing and tune him out, if they haven’t already. Keep in mind it’s not like he’s going after fourth-line scrubs or seventh defensemen, either. Semin and Ovechkin are two of Washington’s most highly-talented (and highly-paid) stars while Knuble is the oldest and most experienced veteran.

On one hand, you’ve got to admire Boudreau’s wherewithal to make the tough decisions.

On the other, you’ve got to wonder if it’ll cost him his job.