Struggling Senators fire coach John Paddock; GM Bryan Murray takes over
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -A year after Bryan Murray led the Senators to the brink of a Stanley Cup, he returned behind the bench to try and spark slumping Ottawa to another deep playoff run.
Murray fired coach John Paddock on Wednesday with only 18 games left in a season that is in danger of falling apart despite a 15-2 start. Murray, who led the Senators last season to their first appearance in the Stanley Cup finals, is stepping back behind the bench for the remainder of the season.
''I thought there was something amiss with the group. Hopefully this will help,'' Murray said.
Murray moved up shortly after the Anaheim Ducks beat the Senators 4-1 in the Stanley Cup finals to become the general manager last summer. Paddock went from being Murray's assistant to his replacement as head coach.
Assistant coach Ron Low was also fired Wednesday, a day after the team was shut out for the second consecutive game.
''It's shocking really that it comes to this,'' Murray said. ''It's disappointing from everybody's point of view.''
Murray will continue to perform his duties as general manager. Those demands should lessen since the NHL trade deadline passed Tuesday.
''It's always a surprise when a coach gets let go,'' center Jason Spezza said at the team hotel in Philadelphia, a day before the Senators played the Flyers. ''We've been struggling, but as a team I don't think we thought it would come to the coach getting fired.
''It just shows the high standard we have in our dressing room, the city of Ottawa, and that our owner has. It shows how competitive a team they think we have.''
Paddock was in his sixth season with the Senators organization. He posted a 36-22-6 record in his lone season as head coach. The Senators won 15 of their first 17 games and were first in the Eastern Conference until last weekend, when they were passed by New Jersey. They have since fallen behind Pittsburgh, too, in points.
Ottawa holds a one-point lead in the Northeast Division over Montreal.
Things got especially bad on Monday, when the Senators were beaten 5-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a game Paddock called a ''total embarrassment.'' Ottawa followed that up a night later with a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins.
''It's a difficult (decision), but it's the right one at the moment,'' Murray said. ''Really since late December, we've seen the team not compete at the level we were close to competing at for most of the first part of the year.''
Assistant coach Greg Carvel, goaltending coach Eli Wilson, conditioning and player development coach Randy Lee and video coach Tim Pattyson remained on staff.
Paddock, who coached the Eastern Conference in last month's NHL All-Star game, was offered another role in the organization.
''We talked about some of the things he felt he'd like to do over again,'' Murray said. ''We also talked about going forward.''
Murray also described the Senators as a ''very passive group'' over a stretch where they lost six of eight and 14 of 21. Paddock thought the undisciplined and unmotivated play of late could be corrected down the stretch.
''There were some players that maybe took advantage of him not being a real hard person at times,'' he said.
Daniel Alfredsson, who leads the Senators with 35 goals and 75 points, said the Senators were in a rut but did not quit or take advantage of their coach.
''There's no question we didn't,'' the captain said. ''It kind of bothers me. He had the ears of everyone in the locker room.''
The 65-year-old Murray has coached more than 1,300 games in the regular season and playoffs. He has a regular-season coaching record of 100-46-18 with Ottawa.
Murray began his NHL coaching career with the Washington Capitals on Nov. 11, 1981. He remained at the helm of the Capitals for more than eight seasons and won the Jack Adams Award in 1984 as NHL coach of the year.
Alfredsson said it wasn't fair to blame Paddock for all that's gone wrong.
''He took a lot of heat lately,'' he said. ''It feels bad we couldn't come out and get him some more wins down the stretch.''
Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils
- The Washington Capitals and the New Jersey Devils will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Prudential Center.
Olaf Kolzig made 34 saves and Brooks Laich had two goals and two assists on Tuesday, as the Capitals defeated the Wild 4-1. The Capitals won the game as +105 underdogs, while the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Shaone Morrisonn and Eric Fehr had the other goals in the victory.
The Devils fell 2-1 to the Hurricanes last time out in overtime, as -125 favorites on the road. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brian Gionta scored the lone Devils goal and Martin Brodeur turned away 34 saves in the loss.
Team records:
Washington: 29-27-8
New Jersey: 37-21-6
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 4-4-1
After a win are 4-6
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Buffalo are 9-1
After playing Carolina are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Washington is 3-14-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to Toronto, Saturday, March 1
New Jersey at Montreal, Saturday, March 1
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres will meet on the ice at HSBC Arena on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
The Canadiens scored four times in the third period as they defeated the Thrashers 5-1 last time out, as -200 favorites. The six goals were a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Christopher Higgins potted two goals, while singles came off the sticks of Maxim Lapierre, Andrei Markov and Sergei Kostitsyn added the other goals in the win.
Steve Bernier scored twice in his debut with Buffalo Wednesday, as they defeated the Predators 8-4. Buffalo won the game as -140 favorites, and the 12 goals sailed OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Daniel Paille, Andrew Peters, Jason Pominville, Derek Roy, Tim Connolly and Ales Kotalik scored singles for the Sabres. Toni Lydman pocketed four assists in the victory.
Team records:
Montreal: 34-21-9
Buffalo: 31-24-9
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-5-1
Before playing New Jersey are 8-2
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing Nashville are 3-3-2
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Montreal is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games
Buffalo is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing at home against Montreal
Next up:
Montreal home to New Jersey, Saturday, March 1
Buffalo home to Detroit, Sunday, March 2
Minnesota Wild vs. Florida Panthers
- The Minnesota Wild and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.
Brian Rolston's power play goal stood up as the winner on Wednesday, lifting the Wild to a 3-2 win over the Lightning. The Wild won the game as -125 favorites, while the five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Pavol Demitra scored the other goals for the Wild, and Niklas Backstrom made 31 saves in the win.
The Panthers lost 4-3 to the Maple Leafs in a shootout last time out, as -125 favorites at home. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jassen Cullimore, Brett McLean and Rostislav Olesz scored for the Panthers.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 35-24-5
Florida: 28-30-8
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-6-1
Before playing Florida are 2-2-2
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-3
After a win are 5-5
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-2-4
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Florida's last 22 games
Florida is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games at home
Florida is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Minnesota home to Los Angeles, Sunday, March 2
Florida at NY Islanders, Sunday, March 2
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings
- The fans at Joe Louis Arena will be treated to a game between the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings when they take their seats on Friday.
The Sharks scored three times in the middle frame on Wednesday, as they defeated the Blue Jackets 4-2. The Sharks won the game as -140 favorites, and the six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jonathan Cheechoo, Torrey Mitchell, Jeremy Roenick and Joe Pavelski scored for the Sharks. Joe Thornton collected two assists in the win.
The Red Wings lost 4-3 to the Oilers in a shootout on Tuesday, as -150 favorites on the road. The final score made it OVER the posted over/under (5).
Jonathan Ericsson, Pavel Datsyuk and Valtteri Filppula replied for the Red Wings.
Current streak:
San Jose has won 3 straight games.
Detroit has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Jose: 34-21-8
Detroit: 42-17-6
San Jose most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2
After playing Columbus are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Edmonton are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Detroit
San Jose is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games on the road
San Jose is 2-11-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Detroit
San Jose is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
Detroit is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Next up:
San Jose at St. Louis, Saturday, March 1
Detroit at Buffalo, Sunday, March 2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at St. Pete Times Forum.
Mats Sundin had two goals in regulation and Tomas Kaberle potted the shootout winner as the Maple Leafs defeated the Panthers 4-3 last time out, as +105 road underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jeremy Williams scored the other Maple Leafs goal, and Vesa Toskala stopped 36-of-39 shots in the win.
The Lightning lost 3-2 to the Wild last time out, as +105 road underdogs. The five goals were UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Michel Ouellet and Jeff Halpern scored for the Lightning, and Mike Smith made 24 saves in his debut.
Current streak:
Toronto has won 3 straight games.
Tampa Bay has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 28-28-9
Tampa Bay: 25-31-7
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-6-1
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Florida are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Minnesota are 1-1-2
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Toronto is 15-5-1 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Washington, Saturday, March 1
Tampa Bay at Carolina, Saturday, March 1
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
- The Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Honda Center.
The Flames lost 3-2 to the Avs last time out, as -150 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Dustin Boyd and Robyn Regehr scored for the Flames, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 31 saves in the loss.
The Ducks defeated Chicago 6-3 as a -220 favorite last time out. The nine goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5).
Teemu Selanne had a hat trick and collected two assists for the Ducks, while Chris Kunitz had a goal and three assists in the win.
Current streak:
Anaheim has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Calgary: 33-22-9
Anaheim: 36-23-7
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Los Angeles are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Calgary is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Calgary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
Anaheim is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Anaheim is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
Next up:
Calgary at Phoenix, Saturday, March 1
Anaheim home to Ottawa, Monday, March 3
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks
- The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vancouver Canucks will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at General Motors Place.
The Blue Jackets were doubled 4-2 by the Sharks last time out, as +120 underdogs at home. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
David Vyborny scored both goals for the Blue Jackets, while Pascal LeClaire made 28 saves in a losing effort.
The Canucks blew a lead with 15 seconds remaining and lost 3-2 to the Avalanche on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows scored in regulation for the Canucks. Roberto Luongo stoped 24-of-26 shots in the loss.
Team records:
Columbus: 29-27-9
Vancouver: 32-22-9
Columbus most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing San Jose are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-3-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 8-2
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Columbus's last 8 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games on the road
Columbus is 8-15-2 SU in its last 25 games when playing Vancouver
Columbus is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 8 games when playing Columbus
Vancouver is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Columbus
Next up:
Columbus at Edmonton, Sunday, March 2
Vancouver at Chicago, Sunday, March 2