Thrashers drop in standings after tough loss in Nashville

By Bud L. Ellis

When locked in a tight race for the playoffs, missed opportunities are accentuated. Thus was the case with the Atlanta Thrashers on a frosty Saturday night in Nashville.

Giving up a goal on the opening faceoff of the third period Saturday night proved too much for Atlanta to overcome, the Thrashers suffering a bitter 4-3 defeat to the Nashville Predators.

The loss dropped the Thrashers from sixth in the Eastern Conference standings into a two-way tie for seventh with Montreal. Four teams – Boston, Tampa Bay, Florida and the New York Rangers – are one point back.

Facing a team playing for the second time in two nights and riding a five-game losing streak, the Thrashers let the game turn in the opening seconds of the third period. Jason Arnott scored just seven seconds into the final period to break a 3-3 tie.

Nashville started quickly, scoring twice off Johan Hedberg in the opening 10 minutes. Bryan Little scored the first of his two goals at 13:57 of the first.

Down 3-1, the Thrashers pulled within 3-2 on a Chris Thorburn short-handed goal in the second period, just 1:11 after Nashville scored its third goal. Little then tied the game at 3-3 with five minutes left in the second.

Atlanta had it chances in the third to tie the game, most notably on an Ilya Kovalchuk breakaway that was stymied.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 10:18 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Bryan Little, Chris Thorburn, Florida Panthers, Ilya Kovalchuk, Johan Hedberg, Montreal Canadians, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning

Thrashers rally for win at Philly as Hedberg shines, smiles

By Bud L. Ellis

There is a long way to go until the Stanley Cups Playoffs begin, and plenty of teams fighting for a handful of spots in the middle of the Eastern Conference.

There is plenty of time for the Atlanta Thrashers to slide back in the standings. But, if the Thrashers find themselves among the eight teams from the East entering postseason play, circle Thursday night’s remarkable 4-3 victory at Philadelphia.

The win moved Atlanta from 13th to sixth in the tightly bunched Eastern Conference standings. It’s just late January, but for a franchise that’s tasted the postseason just once in its decade of existence, it’s huge nonetheless.

Trailing on the road by two goals, against a team that historically gives Atlanta fits, the Thrashers rallied for three goals in the third period. Johan Hedberg made it stand up, putting on a performance that included perhaps the save of the season in the NHL.

The hot-shot rookie, Evander Kane, and the forgotten man, Jim Slater, teamed up for two goals that sparked Atlanta. The first goal gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead six minutes into the game. The second one was far more important.

After Ilya Kovalchuk snapped a four-game scoreless streak with his 31st of the season just 29 seconds into the third period, Rich Peverley tied the game with 15:34 left on a breakaway.

Kane then broke free down the left side, wrapped around the net and found an open Slater in the slot for the game-winner with 6:34 left.

Hedberg made it stick, coming way out of his net to slap away a shot. In the process, his mask and jersey fell over his head, and he blindly tried to clear the puck. Hedberg emerged with a smile on his face, and his teammates were all grins a few minutes later when the game ended, Atlanta’s first back-to-back regulation wins since mid-December.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 12:17 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Evander Kane, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jim Slater, Johan Hedberg, National Hockey League, Philadelphia Flyers, Rich Peverley

Thrashers turn on power in win over Ducks

By Bud L. Ellis

Fighting to stay afloat in the crowded bottom two-thirds of the Eastern Conference, a power outage was the last thing the Atlanta Thrashers needed.

A three-game, 0-for-13 stretch on the power play hasn’t done anything to enhance the Thrashers’ playoff chances. But Tuesday night, locked in a 1-1 game in the third period with Anaheim at Philips Arena, Atlanta got what it hopes to be a goal that didn’t just win a game, but jump-starts its special teams.

Max Afinogenov popped home a power-play goal 4:03 into the third, breaking a 1-1 tie as the Thrashers won 2-1. The victory keeps the Thrashers on the edge of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East heading into Thursday’s road game at Philadelphia.

Colby Armstrong scored Atlanta’s first goal in the second period. Anaheim lit the lamp later in the second, but Johan Hedberg stopped the Ducks from there, recording 34 saves for the victory.

Starting with the game at Philly, the Thrashers play six of their next eight on the road leading into the Olympic break.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 5:46 am by bud

Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Colby Armstrong, Johan Hedberg, Max Afinogenov, Philadelphia Flyers, Philips Arena

Bitter shootout loss for Thrashers in Tampa

By Bud L. Ellis

These are the types of games the Atlanta Thrashers can ill-afford to lose if they want to reach the playoffs.

But Antero Niittymaki once again kept the Thrashers at bay, and after 65 minutes of dramatic hockey and five shootout rounds, Atlanta left Tampa with a bitter 2-1 loss.

Jeff Halpern beat Johan Hedberg in round five of the shootout, and Niittymak improved to 15-0 lifetime against the Thrashers, making 37 saves. As great as Hedberg was, Niittymak was better.

The loss moves the Lightning into a tie with the Thrashers for 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 52 points, three behind the Rangers and Montreal, who occupy the final two playoff spots.

Nik Antropov scored the lone goal for the Thrashers at the 5:23 mark of the first period. Tampa tied the game two minutes later. The score then remained knotted at 1-1 the rest of the way, in a game that features playoff-type intensity and hard-fought play from both sides.

Atlanta looks to rebound Tuesday at Philips Arena against Anaheim.

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Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 1:18 pm by bud

Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Antero Niittymaki, Atlanta Thrashers, Jeff Halpern, Johan Hedberg, Montreal Canadians, National Hockey League, New York Rangers, Nik Antropov, Philips Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning

Thrashers’ early pressure fizzles in loss to ‘Canes

By Bud L. Ellis

Usually, it takes the Atlanta Thrashers a period or so to come to life.

Thursday night at Philips Arena, the Thrashers had plenty of jump in the game’s first three minutes, putting five shots on goal against Carolina. But then, the air went out of the balloon, Eric Stahl scored the first of his three goals and the rout was in motion.

Sure, the 5-2 final score didn’t look bad, but trust me, it was. Many inside Philips Arena left during the early stages of the third period, when Atlanta had three power plays and couldn’t muster much of a charge, down at that stage 4-1 to the team with the worst record in the NHL.

Colby Armstrong gave the home crowd a glimmer of hope, cutting the deficit to 4-2 with under nine minutes to play. But Carolina was too strong, and Stahl capped his hat trick with an empty netter in the final minutes.

Rich Peverley put Atlanta on the board midway through the second period. But by then it was 4-0, thanks to two quick Carolina goals three minutes apart in the first half of the first period, and two power-play goals 1:53 apart in the opening minutes of the second period.

The loss keeps Atlanta out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Thrashers remain at 51 points, tied for 10th with Montreal, three points behind the Islanders and Bruins, who are tied for seventh.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 9:34 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Colby Armstrong, Eric Stahl, Montreal Canadians, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Philips Arena, Rich Peverley

Kovy sparks rally as Thrashers beat Leafs

By Bud L. Ellis

After an initial burst put them in a 2-0 hole, the Atlanta Thrashers fought back. As per the case so many times in his brilliant career, Ilya Kovalchuk led the charge.

The Thrashers’ sharpshooter scored twice, his first two-goal game since Nov. 13, and goals from rookie Evander Kane and Rich Peverley gave the Thrashers all the offense needed in a 4-3 victory over Toronto on Tuesday at Philips Arena.

With the victory, Atlanta moves into a tie for ninth with Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference standings with 51 points, one point behind the Islanders for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Toronto scored twice in a 32-second span of the first period, putting the Thrashers in a 2-0 hole just five minutes into the contest. But Ondrej Pavelec steadied himself in goal, and in the second period Atlanta rallied.

Kovalchuk started it with a goal at the 2:43 mark. Kane scored 10 minutes later to tie the game at 2-2. In the third, Peverley converted on a power play for the game-winner at 1:58, and Kovalchuk scored at the 4:20 mark.

Toronto would score again to cut the margin to one, but Pavelec and the Atlanta defense held up. Kovalchuk finished with the two goals and an assist.

The Thrashers play host to Carolina Thursday.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:26 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Evander Kane, Ilya Kovalchuk, National Hockey League, Ondrej Pavelec, Rich Peverley, Toronto Maple Leafs

One goal one too many for Thrashers to overcome

By Bud L. Ellis

A furious rally at the finish couldn’t help the Atlanta Thrashers overcome yet another sluggish start.

A Gregory Campbell goal midway through the second period turned out to be the only score of the game, as the Thrashers fell to Southeast Division rival Florida on Monday, 1-0.

The loss drops Atlanta (21-20-7) three points behind the Islanders for the eighth and final playoff spot in the crowded Eastern Conference standings. With 49 points, Atlanta is tied with Philadelphia for 11th.

Johan Hedberg did his part between the pipes for Atlanta, making 23 saves. Campbell’s goal came at the 7:18 mark of the second period, and Hedberg’s vision was partially blocked on the play.

It’s unfortunate, as that would be the difference in part because the Thrashers once again struggled offensively in the early part of the game. The Thrashers mustered just 13 shots on goal combined in the first 40 minutes.

In the third, the Thrashers finally found their offensive rhythm enough to take 14 shots on goal and keep the pressure on Florida’s defense and goaltender Tomas Vokoun. But Vokoun was too tough, and Atlanta wasn’t able to capitalize on a 6-on-4 advantage in the final 1:19.

Atlanta looks to bounce back with a quick turnaround, taking on Toronto on Tuesday at Philips Arena.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:02 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Florida Panthers, Gregory Campbell, Johan Hedberg, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Philips Arena, Tomas Vokoun, Toronto Maple Leafs

Enstrom anchors young Thrashers’ defense

By Bud L. Ellis

He’s just 25 years old with 211 games of NHL experience under his belt, but Tobias Enstrom already has penned his place in the Atlanta Thrashers’ record books.

Enstrom, in just his third season with the Thrashers, is the franchise all-time leader in points and assists with 94 assists and 108 points. His 34 assists this season ranks 10th in the league for D-men, and in total points for blueliners his 38 points stands tied for fourth.

It’s continued progress for the quiet Swede who has been a stabilizing force for Atlanta’s backline since joining the team as a rookie in 2007-08. He earned NHL All-Rookie Team honors that season, finishing with 38 points. His production dropped slightly last season, finishing with 32 points.

But coupled with a full season from second-year man Zach Bogosian, the arrival of free-agent signee Pavel Kubina, and the emergence of first-round draft  pick Evander Kane, Enstrom has enjoyed his best season to date. His next point will give him a career high in points for a season. He’s one goal away from his career high (Enstrom has four goals; he scored five in each of his first two seasons). His 34 assists already has established a career high.

If the Thrashers are going to emerge from the crowded middle of the Eastern Conference standings and earn a playoff berth, Enstrom is going to have to continue his good work.

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Monday, January 18, 2010 at 8:27 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Evander Kane, Pavel Kubina, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian

Thrashers top Carolina, move within one point of final playoff spot

By Bud L. Ellis

This is the type of performance the Atlanta Thrashers need more of if they want to be in contention for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored the go-ahead goal just 44 seconds after Carolina had tied the game, and the Thrashers added a Nik Antropv empty-net tally with time running down to secure a 5-3 victory at Carolina on Saturday.

The win moves Atlanta one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot, in the jumbled Eastern Conference standings. The Thrashers are 21-19-7 for 49 points, tied with Philadelphia and one point behind the Islanders and Montreal. Florida, where the Thrashers play Monday, is one point behind Atlanta.

Ondrej Pavelec stopped Eric Stahl on a penalty shot midway through the second period of a 1-1 game. Atlanta responded with goals from Jim Slater and Rich Peverley just 72 seconds apart later in the period, and the Thrashers carried a 3-1 advantage into the final period.

But Carolina responded with two goals in a 70-second span, Ray Whitney’s slap shot tying the game at 3-3 at the 9:09 mark of the third.

Kovalchuk needed just 44 seconds to put the Thrashers back in front. He blasted a slap shot in for his 28th goal of the season, off assists from Tobias Enstrom and Antropov.

Kovalchuk finished with a goal and an assist, giving him 20 points in his past 22 games. Slater finished with a goal and an assist, as did Antropov and Zach Bogosian, who scored Atlanta’s first goal 2:29 into the first.

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Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 4:34 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Stahl, Florida Panthers, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jim Slater, Montreal Canadians, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Nik Antropov, Ondrej Pavelec, Philadelphia Flyers, Ray Whitney, Rich Peverley, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian

Thrashers sit at crossroads

By Bud L. Ellis

They often struggle in the first period, almost always get outshot by the opposition and their marquee player may be wearing another sweater by October (or March, for that matter).

Take all that into consideration, and it’s surprising that the Atlanta Thrashers are just three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite a miserable nine-game stretch that produced just three points in the standings (all coming on overtime losses), the Thrashers split their final four games of their most-recent homestand, losing 2-1 in OT to Buffalo on Thursday at Philips Arena.

So, what to make of the Thrashers as Atlanta hits the road for back-to-back Southeast Division road games Saturday at Carolina and Monday at Florida? With 36 games remaining on the schedule, the Thrashers have an opportunity to reach the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.

But they’ll have to earn it.

The East is a jumbled mess once you get through the first four playoff spots. Boston sits in fifth with 53 points; Tampa Bay and Florida are tied for 12th, just seven points out of fifth.

Atlanta’s right in the midst of that, and when the Thrashers are right (as they were in the early weeks of the season), this is a solid team. The combo of Ondrej Pavelec and Johan Hedberg has been good in goal on more nights than not. Ilya Kovalchuk has not let his uncertain contract status hamper his play (he has 18 points in his past 21 games). A young defense, sparked by Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian and Evander Kane, provide promise.

But Atlanta fans have listened to promises for a decade, with just one playoff berth and zero postseason wins to show for it. The time for the Thrashers to make their move is now.

Fourteen games remain until the Olympic break, and Atlanta faces Southeast Division foes in half of those contests. Nine of the 14 are on the road, so it won’t be easy. But playing well now could pay big dividends in early spring for a team clearly sitting on the playoff bubble.

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Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 10:03 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Evander Kane, Florida Panthers, Ilya Kovalchuk, National Hockey League, Ondrej Pavelec, Philips Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian