The Thrashers are coming off a dismal performance in Ottawa on Tuesday night which saw them score early just to get obliterated, 5-2. Despite outshooting Ottawa the Thrashers were out-chanced and outworked all night by a hungry Senators team that has been playing solid hockey as of late.
The Thrashers have a busy weekend ahead with games against Pittsburgh and Washington, so starting off on the right foot is crucial with a Western Conference foe entering a likely half-empty Philips Arena (not half-full; half-empty). This is Minnesota's only meeting with the Thrashers this season.
What to watch for:
The Thrashers are an inexplicable 1-2-3 when scoring first. A big start should be key, but who knows. By contrast the Thrashers have the second best winning percentage in the NHL at .556 (5-4-0) when trailing first. A nice start would be key, but a full 60 minutes is more crucial for the Thrashers. The Thrashers are playing a Minnesota team who has scored 44% of their goals (14 of 32) in the first period, which also doesn't bode well. Minnesota is 5-1-2 when scoring first, so the Thrashers want to try and avoid falling behind early.
Minnesota, typically renowned for their defense, has the 8th best penalty kill in the NHL at 86.4%. The Thrashers have the third best power play in the NHL at 26.1%, so it could be an entertaining match-up. The Thrashers trail only Vancouver (27.3%) and...Minnesota (27.1%) in power play conversion, so tonights game may come down to a special teams battle. The Thrashers penalty kill is good for fourth-worst in the league at 75.5%. Atlanta must either tighten up its penalty kill or simply stay out of the box, something they've been doing better as of late.
What the Thrashers must do to win:
I can't believe this must be said of an NHL team, but the Thrashers have to come focused and put in a 60-minute effort. The Thrashers have struggled at times with Craig Ramsay's system, as evidenced in Ottawa. The Thrashers must control their gaps in the neutral zone better and must win more defensive zone face-offs. If the Thrashers are going to continue to use Alexander Burmistrov on the penalty kill he must improve his dismal 40.2% faceoff percentage.
Key player:
Evander Kane, the team's young leader, must rise to the occasion tonight. The Thrashers sluggish play must be fixed and who better to go to than the trusted 19-year-old? Kane plays with a spark that's going to be needed to come out in front of a more-than-likely sparse crowd and propel the team to a much needed two points before entering a daunting weekend ahead.
Roster Notes:
Freddy Meyer has been activated from the IR but is a healthy scratch tonight...Bryan Little began skating today but there is no timetable for his return...Patrice Cormier skated prior to the Thrashers practice this morning but there is no timetable for his return either...Thrashers prospect Angelo Esposito notched his first career tally in the Chicago Wolves 3-2 loss to the Texas Stars...Boris Valabik, who was not claimed on re-entry waivers last week, had a fight in the game, which was his second of the year and second in as many games.
TC
