Canadiens fire head coach Claude Julien and assistant Kirk Muller

Following another loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens have decided to part ways with key members of their coaching staff.

The team has announced that they have relieved head coach Claude Julien and assistant coach Kirk Muller of their duties. They have been replaced with Dominique Ducharme, who has been promoted to interim head coach, and Alex Burrows. Luke Richardson and Stéphane Waite are sticking with their roles as assistants on the Canadiens’ coaching staff.

“I would like to sincerely thank Claude and Kirk for their contributions to our team over the past five years during which we worked together. I have great respect for these two men whom I hold in high regard,” said Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.

“In Dominique Ducharme, we see a very promising coach who will bring new life and new energy to our group. We feel that our team can achieve high standards and the time had come for a change. “

Julien, 60, amassed a 129-123-35 record, and two postseason appearances during his four-plus year tenure as Canadiens’ bench boss.

After a hot start, the team has lost six of their past eight games, and dropped to fourth in the North Division with a 9-5-4 record.