Senators shooters up 'four' challenge

Heading into the 14th season in team history, only one Ottawa Senators player had ever registered a four-goal game. In a span of just three days recently, that quickly changed. Dany Heatley had his first four-goal game on Oct. 29 in an 8-0 win in Toronto. Four days later, Daniel Alfredsson and Martin Havlat both had their first four-goal games during a 10-4 win in Buffalo. Those players join former Senator Marian Hossa, who managed the feat during an 8-1 win over Atlanta on Jan. 2, 2003.

"Things are just happening for us," Alfredsson said.

"We're doing the small things right. It's paying off. We've got some of the hottest players right now."

Havlat says there is a bigger picture to look at.

"It doesn't matter who is doing the scoring, as long as we win. That's most important. That was my first game in two weeks (after serving a five-game suspension). Scoring on my first shift made it a bit easier. It was a fun game."

The scoring feats are a clear indication of the new NHL. Only three players had four-goal games in 2003-04. Alfredsson and Havlat's accomplishments are even more impressive. There have been just three instances in NHL history where teammates have scored four goals in the same game. They are: News Jersey's John Madden and Randy McKay, 9-0 over Pittsburg (Oct. 28, 2000); Montreal's Odie and Sprague Cleghorn, 10-6 over Hamilton (Jan. 14, 1922); and Montreal's Harry Cameron-Newsy Lalonde, 16-3 over Quebec (March 3, 1920).

In Ottawa's 10-4 win over Buffalo, only three players scored for Ottawa as Heatley had the other two goals. The last time three players combined for 10 or more goals in one game was Nov. 19, 1983, when Jari Kurri scored five, Wayne Gretzky had three and Willy Lindstrom three in Edmonton's 13-4 win over New Jersey.