General manager Doug MacLean wanted to see more progress in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ third season. So he fired coach Dave King and gave himself the job Tuesday.
At 14-20-4-2, the Blue Jackets have the second-worst record in the Western Conference, just a point ahead of Nashville.
“Dave was certainly preaching the right things. There just wasn’t a consistent performance,” MacLean said.
King, who came to Columbus after three seasons as an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens, leaves with a 64-106-21-13 record as the franchise’s only head coach.
– The Ottawa Senators, unable to pay their players last week, may end up filing for bankruptcy.
TSN in Canada reported that an official announcement could come as early as Wednesday.
RESULTS, TUESDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Buffalo 2 at Philadelphia 3
Justin Williams scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period in the Flyers’ fourth straight victory.
Detroit 0 at Tampa Bay 1
Nikolai Khabibulin made 30 saves for his second shutout and Brad Richards scored the goal in the third period.
Pittsburgh 3 at N.Y. Islanders 6
Dave Scatchard scored three goals for the Islanders. Oleg Kvasha, Mark Parrish and Shawn Bates also scored for N.Y.
Boston 2 at Toronto 5
Alexander Mogilny scored the go-ahead goal with 6:06 left as the Leafs extended their home unbeaten streak to 12.
Carolina 3 at Atlanta 3
Dany Heatley scored two goals for the Thrashers; Hurricanes goalie Arturs Irbe stopped three breakaways in the tie.
Montreal 2 at New Jersey 3
Joe Nieuwendyk scored twice in a 3:13 span in the third period to lead the Devils. Patrik Elias also scored.
St. Louis 1 at Nashville 2
Andy Delmore scored two goals, including the game-winner on the power play with 16 seconds left in overtime.
Los Angeles 4 at Dallas 7
Jere Lehtinen had his second career hat trick and Darryl Sydor scored two power-play goals for the Stars.
Calgary 4 at Colorado 2
Craig Conroy and Jarome Iginla each had a goal as the Flames remain unbeaten under new coach Darryl Sutter.
