The difference in Julien's last five games and Ducharme's first five is night and day for the Habs

When the Montreal Canadiens decided to show head coach Claude Julien the door following a slump this season, there was a very mixed reaction from fans. Many felt it was time, while others believed the coach wasn't the problem. If we go by the numbers from Julien's last five games and Dominique Ducharme's first five, it shows that perhaps a coaching change was needed.

According to an in-game graphic from TSN, the Habs were averaging 2.20 goals per game during Julien's last five. Under Ducharme, that has increased to 3.40 so far. As for goals against, under Ducharme it was 2.80, while Julien had a concerning 3.20. As for the biggest differences, they have come on special teams. Julien's last five games had a powerplay rate of 0 percent, with the team failing to capitalize on any of their chances. The penalty kill rate was a terrible 62.5 percent. For Ducharme's first five, that PP increased to 44.4 percent, while the PK improved greatly to 78.6 percent.

It's also worth noting that the play of goaltender Carey Price was blamed for Julien losing his job, with many accussing him of not living up to his contract. In his last three starts, Price is 2-0-1 with a save percentage of .964 percent. He has allowed just three goals over that span. Price was brilliant for the Canadiens against Vancouver Monday night stopping 29 of the 29 shots he faced despite the 2-1 loss.

It's been said often that every NHL coach has a shelf life, and perhaps Julien had reached his in Montreal. Of course, a five game sample isn't huge and Ducharme still has a lot of work to do, but so far the results are there. One of the biggest challenges for Ducharme right now will be turning around the team's fortunes in overtime and shootouts. Montreal is 0-7 after regulation time this season, a bleak performance that needs to change in order to stay in reach of the playoffs.

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