Columbus Blue Jackets 2012-2013 Season By The Numbers: Part One
By Mark Huss
I thought I would take one last look at the Columbus Blue Jackets 2012-2013 season before it turns into dust when the 2013-2014 season begins in less than a month. This is going to be a little more specific of a review and I will take a look at some stats and numbers from last season. Lets dive right in so I don’t have to bore you with my lame introduction. One last thing though, as you see, this is part one of the series, look for more as we move closer to the season.
Twelve
The number of goals that Vinny Prospal scored last season. Unfortunately it was Prospal’s last season as a Blue Jacket and could very well be his last season in the NHL. Twelve may not seem like a large number, but in a normal season Prospal was almost a 20 goal scorer. My point, these goals need to be made up for next season.
March 10, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Thirty-Seven
The number of games that Sergei Bobrovsky started last season. In a 48 game season, Bobrovsky started more than 75% of the games. In a 82 game season that would equate to around 64 games. A number that is not unreasonable, and probably would not be too many for him to handle.
Four
The number of power play goals that James Wisniewski scored last season. Wisniewski only had five goals last season, and four of them came on the power play. He was also tied for first in the category with Prospal.
January 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Referees break up a fight between Colorado Avalanche left wing Jamie McGinn (11) and Columbus Blue Jacket center Brandon Dubinsky (17) during the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Seventy-Six
The number of penalty minutes that Brandon Dubinsky had last season. This number is only 24 minutes less than what Jared Boll had last season. According to HockeyFights.com, Dubinsky was only in three fights last season, one included a game misconduct, and another included a instigator penalty and misconduct.
One
The positive goal differential for the Blue Jackets last season. Columbus scored 120 goals last season, and gave up 119. The best way to look at this number is to compare it to the 2011-2012 season, the Blue Jackets were a minus 60 (I know this is kind of apples and oranges because of the length of the season). Columbus was on the plus side though, and that is a step in the right direction for the team.
Apr 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu (second from left) celebrates with team after scoring the Blue Jackets third goal of the game against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports