 The Capitals started the 2011–12 season with a record of 7–0, but they only won five of their next 15 games.As a result, general manager George McPhee fired head coach Boudreau, hiring Capitals legend Dale Hunter as his replacement.By the end of the 2011–12 season, the team's top two goaltenders, Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun, were injured and the Capitals were required to lean on their goaltending prospect Braden Holtby to help the team into the 2012 playoffs.