Defense and Goaltenders Carrying the Load for Thrashers
by The Falconer on Nov 9, 2009 9:10 AM EST
13 comments
The Thrashers finally re-wrote the script last yesterday. Stop me if you're heard this before: Thrashers started off slow at home, fall behind and stage a furious third period. Only this time that 3rd period included two goals in the final 7 minutes to gain one point and two more goals in the tie-prevention device to add a second point. The 2nd Atlanta goal came as a result of a hugely favorable bounce of the puck.
It was great to see Enstrom and Hainsey get credit for their 2nd goals of the season. Combined with Kubina's recent goal and Bogosian's regular scoring ability the defense has provided virtually all of the scoring since Kovalchuk departed.
When Ilya went down I mentioned the offensive talent of the Thrashers defense--but this is getting riduculous. Someone among the forwards needs to get rolling. The Thrashers worked the puck around in the 3rd but nobody seems to have any luck up front right now. Bryan Little, Slava Kozlov, Todd White and Antropov--the team badly needs one of these top six forwards to catch fire in November. I will credit Kozlov with a great rush to the net where he lowered the shoulder and drove hard to the net. The puck didn't go into the net, but it was exactly the sort of thing the team needs him to do every single game with Kovalchuk out.
The effort level from the Thrasher forwards was much better, but their decision making with the puck is not good right now. As a group the forwards are failing to shoot quickly while the lane is still open. Far too often they are waiting to shoot. The delay usually leads to the goalie squaring up to the point of attack or the defense filling and blocking the shooting lane. The Blues were extremely good at using their big bodies to jam up the slot area of the ice last night. The Thrashers forwards need to shoot earlier.
A quality start for Hedberg last night. He made a couple of huge saves after the Thrashers tied the game. Allowing a goal in that spot would have been extremely deflating. For years I've wondered what the Thrashers could do with above average NHL goaltending on a nightly basis. I don't have a stat for this, but it seems to me that the number of "fluke goals" or "weak goals" is down sharply so far.
If the team can find a way to kick start the forward lines, that will help them weather the Kovy-less period.
Real Standings (Points above .500)
- +7 PIT
- +7 WSH
- +7 NJD
- +5 BUF
- +5 PHI
- +3 NYR
- +2 TBL
- +2 OTT
- +1 ATL
- 0 NYI
- 0 BOS
- -1 MON
- -4 FLA
- -4 TOR
- -9 CAR
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Agreed, but before we get too optimistic, a few words of caution: the Blues have been simply unable to score goals lately and were playing without Keith Tkachuk. It was a ‘softie’ game for us… a softie we almost lost.
The 7 goals in a row from defensemen is highly troubling.
So should we be concerned? Or not? Well, Aaron and I will have a blog up sometime soon arguing that one…
by timmyf on Nov 9, 2009 9:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
its all good
i wasnt able to watch the game, but from what i heard on the radio, conklin was the only reason this game wasnt a slaughter. when kovalchuk went out, i posted how at least this will encourage our defense, especially toby, to be more offensively minded and not always try to pass to kovy (especially on the pp). needless to say, they have done just that. i think it’s a very good sign that theyve stepped it up and if they continue this production when kovy comes back, we will be in VERY good shape with numerous scoring threats from every position.
what do you guys think of the new D pairings (enstrom and kubina, bogo and hainsey)?
by dennylambert!! on Nov 9, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When Kozlov lowered his shoulder and drove to the net like he did, the guy behind me said, “I didn’t know Slava played forward.”
Nice move, but doesn’t happen enough. Dude needs to step it up!
by CuckooForKovalchuk on Nov 9, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
just as i was saying out loud “kozlov may be in great shape, but he’s done” he was robbed by conklin on that one-timer. maybe needed a bit heavier of a shot, but the placement was perfect. then he goes and scores that classic shootout goal. priceless!
by ablebody on Nov 9, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
‘tie prevention device’ lol – sounds like a mobile phone feature.
Agree on the forwards waiting too long to shoot. The other observation I noticed last night were the forwards trying too often to make cross ice passes in the offensive zone when the openings weren’t there.
by LetNoneIn on Nov 9, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
we’re one of about half the teams in our conference who have more GF than GA. we have more goals than high scoring teams chicago, detroit and buffalo. when our forwards finally break out, the thrash are gonna be scary again. slow and steady wins the 8th playoff spot….
by ablebody on Nov 9, 2009 11:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I think Kozlov still has the moves and the wheels to have another great season. I think he’s due for some points.
Your second “TBL” should be “NYI”.
by ThrashersRecaps on Nov 9, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not panicking yet. Seems we have some short term memories in these parts. Recall the slow start of Ilya last year? Just checked the logs and captain Kovy only had 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points through the first 11 games last season. He ended with 91 points.
Am I saying that Slava will have a similar explosion after accumulating only 5 points through the first 14 this season? No, no I’m not. But I am saying that a slow start is not precursor to a bad season.
Give him to the quarter pole to get his scoring act together and if this is not his year? Take his defensively responsible rump to the 3rd line and have him mark the oppositions top line
by 0vermars on Nov 9, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
After the save on the one timer you had to wonder if Slava thought he was snakebit. Glad to see him get the result in the shootout, hopefully that will help him get his touch back. Kozlovs effort level has been better the last three games or so but with little to show for it.
Have to hope the defensemen do not get into the mindset that they have to carry this team in terms of scoring, when/if that happens we are going to see teams put big numbers against us.
Very good to see a bounce work in this clubs favor, hopefully the hockey gods are starting to smile on this group.
by Thrashfan01 on Nov 9, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kozlov also had several opportunities from the high circle and paused like he did on Thursday, it’s almost like he waited to make sure Conklin was ready for it. Darren Eliot mentioned the move during Thursday’s game that Slava sometimes likes to wait for the goalie to open up the side he’s moving from and put his shot where he was but it really seemed to me like he was balking for some reason.
Scoring in a shootout does not convince me that he’s ready to break out. I want to see him get down and dirty.
I’m starting to also see why Afinogenov can be so frustrating. The guy is a flat-out magician with the puck but has no idea what to do when he’s done with it. On his breakaway, it’s a stretch to say he was trying to go five-hole with that. He tried to stick-handle through Conklin and his final move merely left the puck heading towards the five-hole. Wasn’t even close to what I’d consider a shot.
I sure do sound like negative Nelly but guys I thought had fantastic games were basically the entire D-group, Reasoner, Peverley, and Kane. Did anybody see Bogosian’s move towards the net late in the third? I don’t think half our forwards could make that move. Maybe we should have him play forward until Kovy gets back :-P
by antbogey on Nov 9, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t agree on Afinogenov. Aside from a sick stick-handling ability, he is also a great passer. He can make a pass from some pretty unbelievable, otherwise non passable, situations. He also draws a couple of people from the opposition to the boards opening up the lane. Now, the problem is that with Kovy out, no one on his line can keep up with his speed. Once Kovy comes back they should click again, giving that Anderson keeps Afinogenov on the top with Kovalchuk.
And on the breakaway – he had the D on him and didn’t have much of a choice but to try to “stretch” the goaly and go between the legs. Didn’t work, but it was a legitimate try.
by Kozzy on Nov 11, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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