So I know I'm behind the eight-ball a little bit, but because of school I haven't been able to discuss last weekend's success in California, so here goes:
The Thrashers came from two goals down twice over the weekend, beating Anaheim 5-4 in a shootout and the Sharks 4-2 on Saturday night. This is either a positive or a negative depending on how you look at it; the Thrashers did fall behind in both games but managed to battle back. Stating the obvious, this isn't a habit the Thrashers want to get in to.
In all honesty I had penciled the Thrashers in for a loss on Saturday, playing a dangerous San Jose team in their home opener, not to mention the Thrashers rigorous travel schedule that day and playing back-to-back games on the west coast is never easy. The "bus legs" were evident in the first period but they came out strong in the second with Bryan Little setting up the team's first shorthanded goal of the year. Bryan Little's play has been encouraging early. Desptie not netting a goal to this point he has notched three assists in the first five games.
Dustin Byfuglien picked a great time for his first goal as a Thrasher, netting the game-winner in third period with, even better, Dany Heatley in the penalty box. Evander Kane continued his red-hot start with his third goal of the year.
But the story of the weekend was Anthony Stewart, as he doubled his career goal total in just two games. After scoring four goals in his previous 105 NHL games, Stewart netted a hat trick in Anaheim and added another beauty in San Jose. You can look at Stewart leading the team in goals in one of two ways: the fact that Anthony Stewart is leading the team in goals is sort of alarming considering the other offensive talent, or the fact that the other offensive talent will get going in time and there is no reason for panic.
I like the latter in this situation. Nik Antropov is still recovering and will still be good for 20+ goals. Rich Peverley will find the scoresheet soon enough and Nic Bergfors is known to be streaky and could bust out at any moment. Bergfors still figures to be a 20+ goal scorer as well, so his goose egg through his first four games played isn't particularly alarming.
All in all it was a solid west coast trip. The Los Angeles game last Wednesday wasn't exactly a beauty, but four of six points in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Jose is nothing to be ashamed of. The Thrashers have registered six points in five games, which amounts to about 98 points over a full season. Not to mention the Thrashers have already gone on their west coast trip and have already beaten the Capitals once.
OTHER NOTES:
-Boris Valabik was assigned to Chicago after clearing waivers last week. Hopefully this will give Boris an opportunity to develop his game. I still see promise in Valabik. While not particularly mobile, if he can learn to use his size a la Zdeno Chara there is still some hope. If Valabik ends up half as good as Chara he'll be a servicable NHL defenseman.
-Ondrej Pavelec is skating again. This is great news which really goes without saying.
-Zach Bogosian is still day-to-day. I know it's just a minor injury, but when is Zach going to stay healthy for more than six hours at a time?
More to come after tomorrow night's game with Buffalo.
TC
