Boudreau and his contempt for tough guys

If Bruce doesn't realize the impact that DJ King can have on a game after tonight, then I doubt he ever will. DJ King is not a guy who is going to chip in offensively, but he can still have a valuable role. He is the sheriff, he makes sure guys like Asham think twice about dropping the mitt with a kid who has 0 NHL fights.

There are many teams in the NHL - like Detroit - who pose no physical threat to the Caps. Consequently, in games against teams like Detroit, Tampa Bay, Carolina etc. there is no reason for DJ King to be in the line up.

Conversely, there are teams in the NHL whose lineups are full of noted pugilists.
Those teams include, but are not limited to the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, Senators, and Leafs. When playing one of those teams Boudreau needs to make a point to have someone in his lineup who is more intimidating than Matt Hendricks. With all due respect to Matt Hendricks because he is a tough kid, but there are not a lot of guys in the league who fear him.

It is hard to say for certain whether or not Arron Asham would have gone gone after Beagle if King was playing, but the odds decrease. Arron Asham is a big time tough NHL tough guy, Jay Beagle is not, and he shouldn't have to answer to Asham for what was a relatively innocent jab at Kris Letang.

The competing argument with playing DJ King is that his offensive/defensive abilities hurt the Caps chances of winning games. There is some truth to that, but those impacts are marginal. If the other 17 skaters don't give you enough offensive and defensive ability win the game, then you have bigger issues than deciding who will be your fourth line wing.

The question Boudreau has to ask himself going forward is what is more important, a marginal drop in talent on my fourth line which will play sparingly in the late stages of a close game, or the health and safety of my players.