Analysis: Thrashers 5, Avalanche 3
Two short-handed goals are the difference for the Thrashers at Philips
| The Basics |
Links: Recap | Box Score | Game Sheet | Photo Gallery |  Post-Game Press Conference | Highlights
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| What You Really Need To Know |
| The Thrashers are now 4-2-1 over their last seven games and are showing the ability to compete each and every night while getting scoring from everywhere and in all situations, and it's not just the kids getting the job done. Marty Reasoner and Todd White are both closing in on new career highs in points and Slava Kozlov has quietly putting points on the board. The renewed sense of confidence in the Thrashers locker room will make GM Don Waddell's job a little bit more difficult as he tries to decide which players to part with heading up to the March 4 trade deadline. The upside is that the value of Thrashers players goes up with every strong game. |
| Post-Game Press Conference |
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| Photo of the Night |
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| Offensive Spotlight On: Rich Peverley |
| Rich Peverley didn't score in his first game as a Thrashers but picked up three points in his second, and he's been on a tear ever since. With a short-handed goal and an assist tonight Peverley has 18 points in 18 games with Atlanta and has only been held scoreless in consecutive games once. With an ability to play with anyone and at any forward position Peverley has found an NHL home after struggling to get ice time with the Predators. |
| Defensive Spotlight On: Tobias Enstrom |
| Enstrom tripled his career short-handed points by picking up his first career short-handed goal and his second short-handed assist as the Thrashers scored twice with a man in the penalty box- the second time they've accomplished that feat in the last five games. Enstrom logged a team-high 25:48 , was +2, had two shots on goals and blocked two shots. |
| What Went Right |
| - Starting Strong. Remember that marathon stretch earlier in the year when the Thrashers went something like a dozen games without scoring in the first period? Well not they seem to be first period specialists. Atlanta scored three times in the opening frame against the Avs and outscored opponents 7-4 on their four-game road trip out west. The last time the Thrashers trailed entering the second period was Feb. 8 versus the Flyers.
- PK Pressure. The Thrashers haven't been killing as many penalties as they liked, but they're making up for it by scoring while playing a man down. After scoring two short-handed goals through the end of January the Thrashers have six in their last seven games. - Facing Off. The Thrashers won 61% of their draws with Todd White winning 12 of 16 to lead the squad. Atlanta is 11th in the league in faceoff winning percentage at 50.9%. |
| What Could Have Gone Better |
| - Too Close For Comfort. Following the game Kari Lehtonen said there was a never a doubt in his mind that the Thrashers would skate away with two points, but others could be forgiven for being skeptical when Atlanta took the foot off the gas pedal in the third period, getting outshot 9-4 while allowing Colorado to come within a goal of tying the game up.
- Obstruction. Hooking, tripping, holding, holding. Those were the last four of the Thrashers six penalties. Maybe they wanted to score more short-handed goals, but a PK that has struggled like Atlanta's has can't afford to give up more power plays than absolutely necessary. More often than not obstruction fouls come from somebody being out of position or just being careless. |
| Three Stars (as selected by the Atlanta Media) |
| 1. Tobias Enstrom 2. Eric Perrin 3. Ilya Kovalchuk |
| Quotes of the Night |
| Head coach John Anderson:
"In each of the games we've changed our style just a little bit, because we had not seen each of these (Western Conference) teams play. I really think the guys are listening to what we are saying and are at least trying to do what we ask because that will at least keep us in hockey games." |
