For the third time in franchise history, the Columbus Blue Jackets have started a season 0-3-0.
Following regulation losses to the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and St. Louis Blues by a combined score of 14-5, the 2022-23 Blue Jackets have joined the 2011-12 and 2015-16 Jackets in teams that failed to register a point in their first three games.
2011-12
In 2011-12, the Jackets lost in a shootout in their fourth game but didn't record a point until the ninth game of the season when they picked up their first win. However, after an 11-25-5 start, head coach Scott Arniel was fired and replaced by Todd Richards. The team finished the season at 29-46-7, which was the worst record in the league by nine points.
Rick Nash led the team in goals with 30 and points with 59 and Steve Mason started 45 games and posted a save percentage of .894.
In terms of expectations, Vegas gave the team 80/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup before the season started, which tied for the third-longest odds.
2015-16
Unlike 2011-12, Vegas had high expectations for the Jackets heading into 2015-16. The Blue Jackets were at 27/1 to win the Stanley Cup, tied for the 14th-best odds.
Unfortunately, they did not pick up any points through the first eight games of the season, and after the seventh game, Todd Richards was fired and replaced by John Tortorella.
The team finished the season 34-40-8 which was the fourth-worst record in the league and the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Brandon Saad (31-22--53) and Cam Atkinson (27-26--53) tied for the team lead in scoring and Sergei Bobrovsky posted a .908 save percentage in 37 starts.
2022-23
The Blue Jackets faced a tough stretch to start the season, playing three playoff teams in four days. Statistically, they've been one of the worst teams at five-on-five and have yet to score a power-play goal.
Where #CBJ rank among the 31 other #NHL teams at 5v5 this season (data via @NatStatTrick):
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 17, 2022
- 29.41 GF% (30th)
- 38.50 xGF% (31st)
- 38.85 SCF% (30th)
- 29.41 HDCF% (31st)
- 38.06 CF% (31st)
- 42.77 SF% (27th)
Their preseason odds to win the cup were 70/1, similar to the 2011-12 season.
Bottom line: if this team doesn't turn things around soon, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
