 | Atlanta Thrashers (8-9-3) |
| versus | |
| New York Islanders (4-11-3) |  |
ATL - Ondrej Pavelec (2-4-2, .936, 2.05) NYI - Rick DiPietro (2-3-2, .854, 4.21)
5:00PM
Philips Arena
Lighthouse Hockey
SBNation Game Page
It's become an all-too familiar story: we watch the Thrashers take down a powerful opponent - sometimes convincingly - only to crumble against a significantly weaker opponent on their next outing. The Thrashers played a masterful game Friday night; will this be yet another letdown? Or is this an entirely new Thrashers team?
The opponents don't get much weaker than this. The Islanders have dropped 12 straight, losing to the Florida Panthers last night in Sunrise on the Island, 4-1. After ten loses, the Isles fired head coach Scott Gordon - not exactly a justifiable move, but this is the Islanders we're talking about. The Isles have been hit hard with injuries: Jack Hillen, Milan Jurcina, Andrew MacDonald, Kyle Okposo, and Mark Streit are all on injured reserve. Unfortunately noted Thrasher-killer Matt Moulson will be on the ice tonight; he of the 8 points (five goals) in four games against Atlanta. Also appearing will be Wonderboy John Tavares, owner of four points (1G 3A) versus the Thrash and the best Milo Ventimiglia/Sylar impression I've seen in the NHL:
Spooky.
For Atlanta, Ondrej Pavelec once more minds the net, looking to string together a couple of wins for the first time this season. Job one for the Thrashers is shutting down the P.A. Parenteau/Tavares/Moulson line that does so much damage. On the Islanders back-end, former Blackhawk James Wisniewski has become the teams' assist leader, picking up 9 of his 14 As on the power play - staying out of the box will be crucial. If the Thrashers play with the same conviction and poise we saw Friday night, it'll be lucky 13 for the Fishermen.
Loading comments...