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Hitchcock 'doesn't feel great' about tying Arbour's win mark

Billy Hurst / USA Today Sports

Ken Hitchcock is in uncomfortable territory.

The Dallas Stars bench boss tied Al Arbour for third in all-time wins with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. But the mention of his name alongside the Hall of Fame coach doesn't sit well with Hitchcock.

"I don't really know why, but I don't feel good," Hitchcock told Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. "I felt he was a special human being and a special coach. He was a guy that I could relate to, so it doesn't feel great, to be honest with you.

"We all got our lunch handed to us by Scotty (Bowman), but Al was more of a measuring stick for us. Scotty was rarified air at the time, but Al was a guy we got to talk to and meet."

The victory gave Hitchcock 782 wins, and while a loss followed in the next game, he has another opportunity to take sole possession of third place on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

After six years behind the bench of the St. Louis Blues, Hitchcock returned to Dallas this season, his former stomping grounds, and a franchise which he led to a Stanley Cup championship in 1999. He is out to turn the trick again this season, and while that can't happen until June, Hitchcock will continue to climb the coaching ranks in the meantime.

Next up? Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, who has 854 career wins to his name.

Rank Coach Games Wins
1 Scotty Bowman 2141 1244
2 Joel Quenneville 1544 854
T3 Al Arbour 1607 782
T3 Ken Hitchcock 1458 782
4 Lindy Ruff 1493 736
5 Barry Trotz 1446 715

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