Thu Feb 28 11:55:27 2008

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Sens make the right decision on Paddock

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(Sports Network) - It never really made sense how the Ottawa Senators finally made the Stanley Cup finals for the first time last year and then decided to change their head coach.

Now, it's not like the Senators fired anybody after the impressive playoff run, they simply promoted Bryan Murray from head coach to general manager and put John Paddock behind the bench.

The Senators went back to last year's formula on Wednesday, as they fired Paddock and restored their current GM as the head coach. In addition to Paddock, assistant coach Ron Low was also relieved of his duties.

Through 64 games, Paddock led the Senators to a record of 36-22-6, good for first place in the Northeast Division and the third-best point total in the Eastern Conference. However, Ottawa has won just 11 of its 26 games since the beginning of the new year, allowing Montreal and New Jersey to gradually gain ground in the division and conference, respectively.

In 16 seasons as a head coach, Murray has won 665 games, and has a record of 100-46-18 with Ottawa.

The Senators will play their first game this season under Murray Thursday in Philadelphia. Whether or not Ottawa can resume the high level of play it enjoyed under Murray last season will soon be revealed.

Ottawa's decision to fire Paddock came a day after the Senators were blanked by Boston, 4-0. The Sens were also shut out in their previous contest, as visiting Toronto slammed Ottawa, 5-0, on Monday.

The Sens have six losses in eight games and nine in its past 13 outings.

Ottawa led the Eastern Conference for most of the season, but is now two points behind New Jersey for the top spot. The Sens still lead the Northeast Division by a point over Montreal.