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Daily Links and Game Thoughts
Posted by:
Ben Wright on
February 21, 2008 at
1:31PM EST
Your (late) daily links;
If you're wondering how our college kids are doing I recommend Holly
Gunning's Hockey's Future article. A friend of mine used to teach at North
Dakota and he knew a lot of the hockey players quite well since a lot of them
were in his classes. If I remember right he was a big Rylan Kaip fan.
On to the game tonight- no major changes for
the lineup. Given that he's been the Thrashers' best player night in and
night out since the All-Star Game, Kari Lehtonen gets the start. Alexei Zhitnik
is over the flu and is back in the lineup, so Mark Popovic is out. No changes up
front that I know of- at least not to the actual lineup. I can't vouch for
the lines since the morning skate was in Raleigh and I'm here in Atlanta.
I'm not one to throw around terms like "Must win" and Biggest game of the year"
but tonight's game is big. Really big. The Hurricanes have a three point lead
over the Thrashers
atop the Southeast Division and a regulation win for them tonight puts them
five points up on the Thrashers. That's not an easy gap to overcome, even with
20 games left in the season. A regulation win by Atlanta closes the gap to one
point and could have them nipping at the heels of some of those teams (Boston,
Philly, Buffalo) that are fighting for the eight place spot. I agree with Don
Waddell- I think two teams from the Southeast can make it into the playoffs.
with all of the division games coming up to end the season all it would take is
for one or two teams to post a solid record against their own division. If
Atlanta and Washington beat up on Tampa and Florida they could separate
themselves from the pack. Likewise, if Boston and Buffalo struggle against their
own division late in the season they could drop out of the race.
A few things to look (and hope) for tonight:
- Faceoffs. Rod Brind'Amour is out and Matt Cullen is the only other
accomplished faceoff man on the team. Look for Bobby Holik to have a strong
night taking draws. He hasn't lost more than 50% of his faceoffs in a game
in more than a month.
- Score first. Score often. The Thrashers have struggled mightily to put
up goals lately, but games against the Hurricanes tend to be good remedies
for Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Kovy has 7 points in 4 games against
the Canes this year (and 42 in 34 career games) and Hossa has 6 points in
those 4 games- including 5 goals.
- A balanced attack. It seems that the thrashers have had trouble getting
everyone rolling at the same time this season, most notably the Hossa and
Kovalchuk lines. If both of those lines can get on the scoresheet while the
third and fourth lines contribute the Thrashers will be in great shape.
- Shoot! 10 shots in a game is embarrassing. If nothing else the Thrashers
should come out with an eagerness to shoot every time they touch the puck.
Any forward that doesn't register a shot tonight (or at least one that gets
blocked) should have to walk to Toronto for Saturday's game.
What are your thoughts?
By the way, have you ever wondered how the Thrashers are doing compared to
where they were at this time last season? Or the season before?
Well now you can know. Swap out the team name in the URL and you can bring
up the same stat for any team in the league.
(13) Comments
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They have a chance. Cullen got beat on the faceoffs in their last game. The only other thing is that Graham was the goalie. If Ward plays well, who knows. The absence of Brind'Amour should be interesting. Not sure how Joe Jensen will add up in his place. Remember Staal, Whitney, and Cole can still do damage. Let's also remember that they just got Corvo and Eaves from Ottawa. They didn't make an impact in the last game enough for a win, but maybe they are adjusting.
I hope not. I hope that our guys keep it up. I am hoping that Dupuis, Perrin, and White keep supporting their lines. Maybe the Thorburn/Boulton line will come up with a score too. Whatever happens, I think one thing is key: possession and control of the puck. Good passing, defense needs to apply pressure all the time like I see other teams do consistently.
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Posted by: Michael on February 21, 2008 2:00PM EST
My thought is that Slava Kozlov has been a huge disappointment this year and one of the main reasons that this team has struggled to score goals. He is on pace to produce 50% of the points that he produced last year and if he doesn't wake up and play the last 20 games, we will not have a chance. To me, he looks like he is coasting and he is not playing with any passion. Trade him now!!!
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Posted by: J on February 21, 2008 2:35PM EST
I think the thing I miss the most from this roadtrip is the trivia!!!!! Damn you circus!!!!
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Posted by: keep the faith on February 21, 2008 3:11PM EST
Agreed on the trivia comment, it seems like years have past since the last question.
I expect a fast paced up and down game between these two, they usually play each other that way. Atlanta should have a heavy emphasis on shooting every chance they get and the Canes have good skill up front and aren't afraid to play a wide open style. The deciding factor will be the goalies.
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Posted by: keep the faith on February 21, 2008 3:21PM EST
I just read the AJC article title Too Much is Being Asked of Lehtonen. What a great article, I could not agree with what is in that article. The facts in the article are mind blowing considering the team is still in the race for its division crown. Atlanta allows the most shots per game and has the second worse regulation win-loss record. If not for the overtime/shootout record, our Thrashers would be one of the worst teams in the NHL. Thank goodness for 4 on 4, shootouts, and most importantly Kari!
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Posted by: keep the faith on February 21, 2008 3:22PM EST
I meant to type I could not agree more with what is in that article.
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Posted by: mastiffgal on February 21, 2008 5:52PM EST
Should be a good one tonight. You all catch those Kessel rumors? I'd be happy to see either him or Marleau (sp.?) at center. Maybe both!
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Posted by: Carolina Hurricanes Fan on February 21, 2008 6:24PM EST
Hey suckers, ready for you BEATDOWN tonight! Ha Ha! See you in the playoffs... oh wait, NEVERMIND!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA!
No playoffs for BLUESLAND!
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Marleau or Kessel? No way. I am telling you. Hossa is going to Montreal. I think we will get either Higgins or Ryder for a forward, and hopefully Streit on defense. Have you not read what I posted earlier?
As for tonight, I don't know what happened, but the Thrashers can ill afford to lose very many more games. We lost an important game tonight, and we are getting scored on by some different faces like Bayda, Aucoin, and Walker. Usually it is Staal, Cole, Whitney, or Brind'Amour. Actually, Whitney did score 1.
I didn't get to watch the game. I just know who scored and the final score. What would you say was the problem tonight, Ben?
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Posted by: Michael on February 22, 2008 7:48AM EST
We need to trade Hossa ASAP. There is a cloud hanging over this team as they wait for the next move with Hossa. We need to get rid of him so the team can move forward and play hockey. The lack of a deal is killing the focus of this hockey team!
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Posted by: J.B. on February 22, 2008 8:26AM EST
I agree. I really think the lack of focus can at least be partially attributed to the Hossa situation. They all say when interviewed that no one's thinking about it and keep their minds on the next game, but when I watch the Thrashers of late, all I see is distraction. A significant change in the team always causes a spark (e.g., Hartley's exit, Recchi's arrival, etc.). It's time for another one to get these guys in gear and move on with the season.
And, MY GOD was there one completed pass last night? I think the folks down at Thomas Eye Group need to examine all the players vision because there seemed to be a problem with depth perception last night too.
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Posted by: richmik on February 22, 2008 9:04AM EST
I agree with michael and jb-- Hossa needs to go this weekend--and we need a defenseman --defenseman --defenseman---the lack of speed and intensity on our defense is so obvious--These guys are so out of position so often --and this is the second year I am observing this--I know Waddell has to see this ----I truely believe he knows a bit about hockey-- I really think his hands are tied--I suspect the deals for defenseman were not made last summer because he was not allowed to spend any more money--at least until the lawsuits are over--
The problem is not many people are going to be willing to part with an All Star defenseman if they are heading into the playoffs- --unless it is someone that requests a trade--and/or unless they have ties to another player on our team or the area---Atlanta is not going to be tops on anyones list--. unless we over pay someone, always an option but we have several of those on the roster now--kozlov-holik, zhitnik---It is time for a shake-up
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Posted by: mastiffgal on February 22, 2008 10:52AM EST
Kaberle.
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