The Capitals were easily the worst the NHL had to offer -- 6-14-1 -- when coach Glen Hanlon was fired on Thanksgiving Day and replaced by career minor league coach Bruce Boudreau , who turned the team 's personality upside down or upside-down by introducing an attacking style featuring the league 's most prolific offensive player ( Ovechkin ) , the NHL 's top goal-scoring defenseman ( Mike Green , 18 goals ) and a rookie of the year contender ( Nicklas Backstrom , franchise-rookie record 69 assists ) .