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Thrashers Put Out the Cats, Look Like A Hockey Team

Fans react to Atlanta Thrashers' Niclas Bergfors winning goal over the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 4-2. (AP Photo/John Amis)

More photos » John Amis - AP

about 1 month ago: Fans react to Atlanta Thrashers' Niclas Bergfors winning goal over the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 4-2. (AP Photo/John Amis)

This was it: the game the Thrashers needed. It's proof that, given the opportunity, they will play for themselves, and they will play for each other. Ron Hainsey and Zach Bogosian dropped the gloves. Johan Hedberg was fantastic. Colby Armstrong was... Colby Armstrong. And Niclas Bergfors, the new kid, shows us what he's capable of:

Star-divide

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Zach Bogosian, American Hero.




Looked like a pro out there. Burke and Co. don't know what they're missing. My vote is give the kid the 'C'. He's a gamer, and he's a leader. It's not even a question.

Now, all of this is not to say that the game wasn't without its' minuses. Seven minor penalties? Yes, a couple of them were suspect, but many were avoidable. We're seeing many more little dipsy-doo moves and "nifty" drop passes. High-risk/high-reward plays that backfired against the Capitals on Friday, but worked much better against the Panthers. Picked up on the difference between those two teams? If the Thrashers hope to be a playoff contender, they have to figure out when and where to apply the hot dogging.

Overall, the pluses outweighed the minuses. Given the travel day the team endured, they came out a played a solid game. Outstanding puck movement on the power play - something that's been missing of late. One of the concerns I had steming from the Kovalchuk trade was how would Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov react? Obviously, they're professionals, and they're going to do the job they get paid to do, but when (arguably) the single biggest factor in their playing here has moved on, what happens? The Washington game was difficult for both of them, but tonight was a different story. Max potted the first Atlanta goal, and Nik picked up three assists and a +1 rating. Ron Hainsey was all hustle, even picking up that fighting major, and Pavel Kubina had two assists on the evening.

Thrashers don't have much time to rest on tonight's feel good comback victory. Two days off, and then they head west. Looking ahead this week, the Thrashers have three more games before the Olympic break, and none of them look to be easy:

Atlanta: Colorado Minnesota Chicago




Compare that schedule to that of the Rangers, Flyers, and Lightning - the three teams ahead of Atlanta in the standings:

NY Rangers Nashville Pittsburgh
Philadelphia New Jersey (twice) Montreal (twice)
Tampa Bay Vancouver Boston NY Islanders




The only games on that grid that don't have a large and immediate impact on the Eastern Conference standings are Rangers/Predators and Lightning/Canucks - all others are the proverbial four-point games. After that, almost a solid month away from the NHL, playing different systems on different teams for different reasons. As I said, this was a game the Thrashers needed - let's hope it's the start of something big.

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Absolutely wish I could have made it tonight.

Just getting ready to sit down to watch the replay on NHL’s GameCenter (so thrilled at the in-house feed plus Dan & Darren) – I really think that this proves that the team really can stand on its own. We’re going to have to scrape our way into that last playoff spot, but it’s do-able, especially if we continue playing with as much heart as we apparently did tonight.

Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?

Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.

by hildymac on Feb 7, 2010 12:56 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

It’s do-able, but maybe not realistic with next weeks schedule. The next three games could end any hopes for this year. If the rest of the season is as entertaining as tonights game, then I won’t be disappointed.

Good crowd at the game.

by SilverRubicon on Feb 7, 2010 1:13 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I was wondering about the crowd energy

Whether it would be a deflated feeling in the air or rejuvenation.

by Cracker! on Feb 7, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Points are a premium

From what I saw it was a solid hockey team. Very impressed, they fought( literally!!) for those two points. I am trying not to get too excited, but way to go Guys! Another move or two and would could be back in the top 8 and looking at a playoff game in Philips.

P.S. I loved the podcast, I am a truck driver so I listen to podcasts all day. But I could never find anything about my beloved Thrashers. So keep up the good work and I look forward to more.

Wadell trade the pick from NJ to the leafs and bring in Ponikarovsky!!

by Big Fish on Feb 7, 2010 1:14 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

As exhausting as the day was for the players and coaches, let’s remember, they were playing the Panthers, not Chicago, San Jose, or Pittsburgh.

by Black ice in Alabama on Feb 7, 2010 1:15 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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Southeast Standings

GP W L OTL PT
Washington 70 47 14 9 103
Atlanta 69 29 29 11 69
Tampa Bay 69 28 29 12 68
Florida 68 28 30 10 66
Carolina 69 28 33 8 64

(updated 3.18.2010 at 9:02 AM EDT)

30 - 29 - 11

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