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Ovechkin off to slow start for Capitals

Oct 24, 2008 - 12:01 AM Washington (3-2-1) at Phoenix (2-3-0) 10:00 p.m. EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin is off to a slow start compared to his record-setting season of a season ago.

Ovechkin will look to help the Washington Capitals snap a two-game losing streak when they visit the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Ovechkin led the NHL with 65 goals and 112 points in 2007-08, becoming the first player in league history to win the Hart, Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies as well as the Lester B. Pearson Award all in a single season.

The Russian began last season by notching at least one point in each of his first six games. After he was held scoreless in the seventh game of the campaign, Ovechkin erupted for at least two points in each of his next four contests.

This campaign has not started as last year did for Ovechkin, who has four points in six games and scored his only two goals during a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on October 11.

Ovechkin may regain his scoring form if goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is not on his game.

Bryzgalov has started each of Phoenix's first five games, posting an .889 save percentage and 3.41 goal-against average. He has surrendered at least four goals in his last three appearances for the Coyotes, who enter the contest on a three-game losing streak.