After yet another disappointing loss to Colorado Tuesday night the Columbus Blue Jackets have parted ways with Ken Hitchcock. It comes as little surprise and while a new coach is unlikely to solve all the problems, it’s a move that General Manager Scott Howson felt had to be made.

Columbus is last in the Central Division and 14th in the Western Conference with 53 points (22-27-9). Rick Nash said in an interview that he’s not upset about the move and he’s pointing the finger at himself and the rest of his team as the cause.

Dallas is at Columbus (-130) tomorrow night and we are likely going to see this line swing. The old theory used to be that when a new coach took over; players would give an extra effort the first game out to try and impress the new boss. Results of betting on the new coach from 2002 through the end of the 2006 season the record when betting on the replacement was 18-5-1 straight-up (SU).

As with most trends, we are even seeing a reversal of the original theory and in the 2008-09 season bettors that faded the new bench boss were treated to a 6-1 SU record.

2008-2009 Mid-Season Coaching Changes

1. CHICAGO
Former coach: Denis Savard
1st game with Joel Queneville: Lost 4-3 (SO) at STL

2. TAMPA BAY
Former coach: Barry Melrose
1st game with Rick Tocchet: Lost 3-2 (SO) at CAR

3. CAROLINA
Former coach: Peter Laviolette
1st game with Paul Maurice: Lost 5-2 vs. PGH

4. OTTAWA
Former coach: Craig Hartsburg
1st game with Cory Clouston: Lost 1-0 vs. LA

5. PITTSBURGH
Former coach: Michel Therrien
1st game with interim coach Dan Bylsma: Lost 3-2 (SO) at NYI

6. NEW YORK
Former coach: Tom Renney
1st game with John Tortorella: Lost 3-2 (SO) at TOR

7. MONTREAL
Former coach: Guy Carbonneau
1st game with Bob Gainey: Won 4-3 (OT) vs. EDM

Six of the seven games finished with a one-goal difference, five going into extra time and four even needed a shootout to solve things but the final score is all that counts when betting hockey on the money line.

So far in 2009-10 the trend has continued, with both new head coaches failing in their first game behind the bench.

2009-2010 Mid-Season Coaching Changes

1^st game with Peter Laviolette: Sat. Dec. 5/09, lost 8-2 vs. WSH

1^st game with interim HC Davis Payne: Sat. Jan. 2/10, lost 6-3 vs. CHI

That is one win compared to eight losses for the new bench boss and at plus money it is worth considering a play on the Dallas Stars to try and take advantage of this situation to add a win in the department that has been sorely lacking for this team all season – road play.