Gameday: Thrashers Visit Lightning

	Atlanta Thrashers (17-11-3)
versus
Tampa Bay Lightning (16-10-4)

ATL - Ondrej Pavelec (4-4-2, .942, 1.85) TBL - Mike Smith (8-5-0, .872, 3.57)

7:30PM
St. Pete Times Forum
Raw Charge
SBNation Game Page
TSN Preview

Ain't no party like a divisional party, cuz a divisional party gives you a greater opportunity to widen the gap in the standings between you and your opponent.

That is why I'm not a rapper.

This season, Tampa Bay's strategy has consisted mostly of "Score More." They're running with with a goal differential of -12. Say it with me now, UN-sus-tain-a-ble. At least the Thrashers will be spared Dan Ellis and His Problems (you're welcome, indie band looking for a name), as the Lightning have opted for Mike Smith in the net tonight. The Lightning have taken the Thrashers in both of their previous meetings (5-3 & 5-2), but it should be noted that those were games number two and seven on the season for Atlanta. Much has changed. Steven Stamkos is the Lightning point leader (24g 20a), and has been recently immortalized as a bobblehead. Vincent Lecavalier, however, is still trying to work his way back from a broken hand, and will be out tonight. For Atlanta, Ben Eager, Niclas Bergfors and Freddy Meyer will all sit this evening, hopefully thinking about what they've done and coming up with good reasons why Santa shouldn't put coal under the tree for them.

Oh, and maybe you saw this today:

I'm torn. Any marketing at all is an effort, and that's more than we've seen from the team in the past. And as ideas go, it is pretty inventive. A giant bird driving a Zamboni down Satellite Blvd. is bound to grab some attention. But the frisking of said bird is bound to leave some indelible scars on the psyches of small children. What do you guys think? Poll below.

As always, Let's Go Thrashers.