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Alfredsson, Senators look to continue strong start

Nov 8, 2007 - 2:46 PM Washington (5-9-1) at Ottawa (13-1-0) 7:30 pm EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Daniel Alfredsson and the Ottawa Senators look to build on the best start in NHL history Thursday whey they host the Washington Capitals.

Ottawa is the first team in league history to register 26 points over the first 14 games of the season. The Detroit Red Wings held the record at 25 points in 2005-06, which was tied by the Buffalo Sabres last season.

The 34-year-old Alfredsson has been the one of the major factors in the Senators' success. The Swedish right wing leads the club with 10 goals and 20 points this season.

Also looking to extend their franchise-high winning streak to nine games, the Senators have received outstanding goaltending from Martin Gerber. After a disappointing 2006-07 season with the club, Gerber is 10-1-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and .941 save percentage.

Last season's starter Ray Emery was hampered by injuries to start the campaign, but is still 2-0 with a 2.50 GAA.

As usual, Washington will need Alex Ovechkin to play well if they hope to put an end to the Senators' great start. The 22-year-old Russian has a team-leading nine goals and 16 points this season. Ovechkin has already tallied 107 goals in his three-year career.

A few more young guns will look to get going for the Capitals, who have lost three consecutive games.

The 19-year-old Nicklas Backstrom is yet to score a goal, but does have seven assists, and center Chris Bourque - son of legendary defenseman Ray Bourque - will participate in his second game.