24/7: Road to the Winter Classic, Episode 1

Boudreau bombs on and off the ice

By Mark Madden
Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com/sports.html
Sunday December 19, 2010 11:37 PM

I was speaking to Penguins forward Mike Rupp about a variety of topics after practice Friday, and at one point I dropped an F-bomb. “Hey, I’m wearing a microphone right now,” Rupp interjected.

Big deal. I’m still 50 F-bombs behind Washington coach Bruce Boudreau.

Such is the subtlety of the HBO invasion. The premiere of “24/7 Penguins/Capitals” benefited greatly from lack of obtrusive presence. Most reality shows are low-rent and obviously scripted. Not so for “24/7 Penguins/Capitals,” and the result, so far, is marvelous TV.

My God, how many kids does Pascal Dupuis have? They’re everywhere.

Episode one’s biggest beneficiary was Dan Bylsma. The Penguins coach came off as well-spoken, cerebral and in positive control of his locker room. Boudreau, meanwhile, spewed vulgarities and malaprops in equal share. He was coaxing, not coaching, begging and pleading his Capitals instead of instructing and demanding.

Appearing on-camera with wing sauce at the corner of his mouth didn’t help, either.

Strangely, HBO might be Boudreau’s best friend right now. The Capitals likely wouldn’t fire Boudreau until “24/7” is complete. Exposing the machinations of a coaching change on HBO probably isn’t something Washington management would prefer.

As someone that’s been around the Penguins’ locker room for almost 30 years, I found the closed-doors stuff fascinating. I’d never heard a coach talk to the team just before the game, or just after, or between periods.

That’s when Bylsma sparkled.

He stoked his team’s youthful enthusiasm even as he firmly imparted the X’s and O’s of what he wanted done.

Boudreau just yelled. Anybody can yell.

His words carried no impact, not even psychological.

I don’t know that the Capitals have tuned him out, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

Bylsma, of course, was beneficiary of his team being on a long winning streak. Boudreau was hurt by his team being on a skid.

But if the situations were reversed, I don’t think Boudreau would look as good, or Bylsma as bad. The camera can lie, but not that much.

Owners and general managers aren’t usually privy to what’s said, or how it’s said, by the coach to the players in the situations shown. What if “24/7” was the first time Capitals owner Ted Leonsis or GM George McPhee saw Boudreau’s circus act? Ouch.

Is pressure provided by “24/7” contributing to Washington’s slide? Boudreau did acknowledge HBO’s presence before launching into a tirade.

But if the Capitals wilt under the spotlight of a documentary, how will they handle the pressure of a Stanley Cup final?

Assuming they ever play in one, that is.

Reality TV wants good guys and bad guys. Winners and losers. The Penguins and Capitals made it easy. No tinting needed. The results created the characters. The “24/7” series has a reputation for being totally impromptu, but no scripting was necessary in any event.

Things could change in a hurry: The Penguins have lost two straight. Or get worse in a hurry: The Capitals’ losing streak hit eight with a 3-2 loss to Boston Saturday.

I can’t wait for the next episode (Wednesday, 10 p.m.). “24/7 Penguins/Capitals” is better than “Deadwood,” and with even more gratuitous swearing.

Top moments from the premiere: The nod to “Slap Shot” with the inclusion of Maxine Nightingale’s “Right Back Where We Started From” in the soundtrack, and Matt Cooke’s son spearing Max Talbot during the team’s holiday skate. That kid isn’t adopted.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).