FanHouse EugeneMelnyk

It's been a disappointing season for the Ottawa Senators as they find themselves out of the NHL playoff picture for the first time in 11 years. As a result, the team is on its fourth head coach -- Cory Clouston -- since a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007.

On Wednesday, the team announced that Clouston has signed a two-year contract extension to remain as the Senators head coach.

The Ottawa Senators are currently on their third head coach in the past two seasons and sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The one constant over that time has been general manager Bryan Murray, and one of the former coaches is pointing the finger directly at him for the team's recent failures on the ice.

John Paddock, fired by the Senators on February 28, 2008, blasted his former boss saying, among other things, that he's now "next in line" to take the fall.

Devils 4, Bruins 3: The premier matchup on Thursday's schedule had to be the New Jersey-Boston tilt, and it didn't disappoint as the Devils took a 4-3 decision in overtime. Jamie Langenbrunner scored a pair of goals for the Devils, including the game-winner 1:11 into overtime.

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead through the first two periods, New Jersey watched the Bruins roar back with three goals in the third period before Patrick Elias tied the game with just under two minutes to play in regulation. Zach Parise picked up his 29th goal of the season in the win, while Scott Clemmensen made 24 saves. New Jersey has now won seven consecutive games while allowing only 12 goals during the streak. Who needs Martin Brodeur, eh?

It wasn't long ago that the Ottawa Senators were the best team in the Eastern Conference, playing in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Anaheim Ducks. Really, it was only two years ago. Amazing how fast things can change.

Currently, the Senators find themselves in the 13th spot of the Conference -- tied with Atlanta -- with 39 points. Assuming it takes 90 points to qualify for the postseason, the Senators would need to close out this season with 51 points in 37 games. In other words, they would need to go 25-11-1.