Is it just me or was that the most complete game the Thrashers have played this season? The power play didn't score, but other than that it was a pretty solid game from start to finish. I can't fault the Thrashers for giving up two power play goals to the best power play in the NHL, especially after they killed off a pair of 5-on-3 advantages (one of them compliments of a phantom call on Ken Klee). That was a huge accomplishment but it clearly wore out the penalty killers who gave up the tying goal with less than two minutes remaining.

Some highlights for me:

• Eric Perrin's goal to tie the game in second period. He parked out in front of the crease and banged the puck home despite being surrounded by four Montreal players.
• Slava Kozlov's beautiful steal leading to the second Atlanta goal in less than a minute. That's why you pressure defensemen. they make mistakes.
• Johan Hedberg's spectacular play from start to finish. He made huge saves all night long and can't be faulted on either Montreal goal. 6-0 all-time in the shootout.
• Bryan Little and Ilya Kovalchuk's shootout goals (at the end of this highlight video). Little has greatly exceeded my expectations this season and he earned his shootout attempt. Did you notice his reaction after he scored on it? Nothing. He just skated back to the bench as if he'd done it a million times. Meanwhile Ilya Kovalchuk is finally confident going in one-on one with a goalie. Goalies beware. Kovalchuk is going to break 50 again this season.
• Marian Hossa's jump and defense. He didn't get on the scoresheet but he was instrumental in setting up the Perrin goal. He had eight shots and was the most aggressive penalty-killing forward on the team. He's a little snake-bitten but he's driving to the net and getting chances. Given his recent history against them, I expect big things from Hossa when he faces Ottawa on Thursday.
• Niclas Havelid. He's been upstaged by Toby Enstrom this season but he was almost flawless on the penalty kill and was instrumental in killing Montreal's two-man advantages. It was his best game of the season and if it's a sign of things to come then Atlanta's defense is looking a whole lot better.
• Tobias Enstrom continues to be one of the best things to ever happen to the Thrashers. the kid has poise to spare and was a steal as an eighth round draft pick back in 2003. He's currently second among all NHL rookie in time-on-ice per game, just a shift per game behind New Jersey's Andy Greene. Another 27 minute game and he'll probably pass him. He's also leading all rookies in blocked shots.
• Garnet Exelby stepped up in a big way, throwing his weight around with six registered hits, all the while staying in position.
• The 13-2 edge in shots for the Thrashers in the opening frame. When was the last time they started like that?
• Chris Thorburn and Mark Popovic. They aren't doing anything spectacular but they aren't making mistakes either. It took them a while to get into the lineup but now that they've each been in for two straight games they're making it hard for the coaches to pull them.
• A second straight game holding the opposition to two goals (three if you don't count the empty-net goal in Nashville). Moose's goals against average is going down and his save percentage is going up. You knew it was just a matter of time, but it's still good to see. Now Don Waddell is faced with a tough decision- does he keep riding the hot goalie or does he give him a break before he wears down? With no back-to-back games until Nov. 9-10 it wouldn't be hard to play Hedberg in the next three, but Pavelec was told he'd get a start on the road trip. It's not a bad problem for Waddell to be faced with.

Did you see anything that I might have missed? What was the highlight of the game for you?

** Quick Update**

The Falconer has a great little recap up as well and Yellowdog has one over at Talking Thrash.