Seeing how the Columbus Blue Jackets will be introducing their 8th coach in 11 years tonight I got curious.... How have each of the previous 7 coaches fared in their first games out for this franchise?
Let's take a look!
Dave King
Saturday October 7th, 2000 vs. Chicago
3-5 (loss)
Doug MacLean
Wednesday January 8th, 2003 @ Minnesota
2-1 (win)
Gerard Gallant
Friday January 2nd, 2004 @ Tampa Bay
2-0 (win)
Gary Agnew
Friday November 15th, 2006 vs. Nashville
4-5 (loss)
Ken Hitchcock
Friday November 24th, 2006 @ Philadelphia
2-3 (loss)
Claude Noel
Thursday February 4th, 2010 vs. Dallas
2-1 (win)
Scott Arniel
Friday October 8th, 2010 vs. San Jose (Sweden)
2-3 (loss)
Todd Richards
Tuesday January 10th, 2012 @ Chicago
?
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And the survey says?
3-4
Here are a couple of other observations:
- This will be the first Tuesday that a CBJ coach has made his debut.
- This will be the 2nd time a CBJ coach has made their debut against Chicago.
- This will be the 3rd time a CBJ coach has made their debut in January.
- Only 2 of 8 CBJ coaches have made their debut at the start of a season.
- Out of the 4 losses, 3 have come by just 1 goal.
- The Jackets scored exactly 2 goals in each of their 3 victories.
- Tonight will mark the 6th time a CBJ coach has made his debut against a Western Conference team.
- 4 coaches have made their debut's at home and 4 on the road. Note: That is counting Sweden as a home game.
- The Jackets are 2-1 on the road when a new coach makes his debut.
- The Jackets have only scored 2 or more goals just twice when a CBJ coach makes his debut.
- On the flip side - they have yet to be shutout in 7 games with a new man behind the bench.
The good news? The Jackets are competitive and above .500 on the road with a new coach behind the bench.
The bad news? The Jackets face a Chicago team trying to end a 4 game skid.
Good luck tonight Todd Richards.
You're gonna need it!
-LTL
