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Senators continue winning ways, double up Devils

Oct 8, 2007 - 11:01 PM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Consistency apparently reigns supreme in Canada's capital city.

Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley each scored goals and have registered points in all four games this season as the Ottawa Senators defeated the New Jersey Devils, 4-2, on Monday.

"It has a lot to do with confidence. I think as a team we know what we're capable of doing on any given night," Alfredsson said. "You can talk about chemistry, and that helps, but we feel like we're a talented team and if we work hard, we'll be successful."

Alfredsson, who leads the National Hockey League with five tallies, had a goal and two assists. His empty-net goal salted the game, but he also assisted on Wade Redden's eventual winning tally with 5:33 remaining in the third period.

With Ottawa clinging to a 2-1 lead in the third period, Redden cleaned up Alfredsson's rebound and slid the puck under New Jersey netminder Martin Brodeur's pads and just over the goal line. After initially being reviewed by off-ice officials, the goal was allowed.

"I couldn't tell for sure, but it looked like it was across the line," Redden said. "I'm glad they were able to go upstairs and see it clearly. "At the time, that was a big goal for us."

Heatley's goal, his fourth in as many games, gave Ottawa a 2-0 advantage with five minutes remaining in the first period. After a beautiful feed from center Jason Spezza, Heatley beat Brodeur from short range.

Heatley, who signed a six-year contract extension on Wednesday, amassed 50 goals and 55 assists last season en route to leading the Senators to their first berth in the Stanley Cup Finals.

While starting goaltender Ray Emery continues to recover from offseason wrist surgery, Martin Gerber has been in net for all four Senators victories this season.

"In all four games, the team has played so well in front of me. It really says a lot about how well our team is playing," Gerber said. "It's easier on a goaltender when he can see everything, and the other team isn't getting odd-man rushes."

After registering his seventh career shutout and first of the season by stopping all 35 shots he faced in Ottawa's 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday, Gerber made several key saves - stopping 27 of 29 shots - on Monday.

"Somebody mentioned the words 'goaltending controversy' the other day, and we don't think we have one here," Ottawa coach John Paddock said. "We feel like we have two goaltenders that have the ability to be No. 1. Goaltending will be the last position we should have an issue getting good games out of."

Gerber, however, saw his goalless streak come to an end at 122 minutes and 1 second late in the second period, courtesy of Arron Asham.

Dainius Zubrus, who had the puck behind the net, tried to skate out in front. Redden confronted Zubrus, who then found Asham on the doorstep for an easy goal.

Redden's goal gave Ottawa a 3-1 edge, but Zach Parise pulled the Devils back within one after sliding the puck around a sprawling Gerber and just over the goal line at 7:29 of the third period.

"They started to put some more pressure on us in the third period, but (Gerber) has been playing great - and he was solid at the end of the game for us again tonight," Alfredsson said.

Chris Kelly opened the scoring 4:17 into the first period for Ottawa, which defeated New Jersey in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season in five games.

Brodeur made 33 saves and is winless in his two starts for the Devils under coach Brent Sutter.

"It's definitely different with a new coach, but this team is always going to be successful by being a strong defensive team," Brodeur said. "We need to focus on playing well defensively and good things will happen. So far, we haven't done that, and it hasn't happened that way for us."