Yet another one-goal loss extends Thrashers losing streak
For the second straight game, the Atlanta Thrashers failed to capitalize on scoring the first goal of the night and dropped yet another one-goal game. This time it was 3-2 to the Devils in New Jersey.
On this night, however, the Thrashers were not grossly outshot…in fact, both teams took 26 shots each on goal. Johan Hedberg turned away 23 while Martin Brodeur saved 24.
Zach Parise scores the Devils first goal as...in what is becoming a very common occurrence...Ron Hainsey trails behind the play (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
The losing streak for the Thrashers now stands at five straight, three consecutive in regulation. They are 1-5-1 in the last seven games and 4-9-1 in the month of December with one left to play.
Atlanta is also 2-8-0 in their last ten road games. Both of those wins were of the shootout variety.
Five of the last six losses have been by one-goal margins. The lone exception was last week’s 6-4 loss in Boston…and then the two-goal difference came by way of an empty-netter at the end.
Scoring for Atlanta Monday night…Ilya Kovalchuk, his 23rd, and Marty Reasoner, who has scored in two straight games. It was Marty’s fourth goal so far this season.
Kovy has scored in four straight and in his last ten he’s netted 7 goals, 8 assists and is a +2. He’s also a +5 in the last five games.
Atlanta has now gone seven straight games in which they have surrendered at least three goals. The last time they allowed the opposition less than three…December 14 when Johan Hedberg was in goal and they beat the Rangers 3-2 in a shootout.
The time before that, it was a 2-1 shootout win in Florida back on December 5. Moose was in goal that night as well, as he was on November 28 when he shutout the Flyers.
Have you seen me? Going 29 straight games without a goal puts Todd White on the milk carton
The last time Ondrej Pavelec started and gave up fewer than three goals…the night before Thanksgiving when he laid a goose egg in Detroit. Since then, the only time he gave up less than four goal in a start was on December 3 when he allowed three versus the Islanders and last week when he gave up three in Boston. But as you’ll recall, he was pulled halfway through the first period after giving up three on eight Bruins’ shots.
The only game he’s started and won in the month of December was a 6-5 overtime win against Dallas.
Atlanta has allowed a total of 121 goals in 38 games played this season. 56 were surrendered in the first 19 games…65 in the last 19 games.
The Thrashers have now gone one a full month since their last regulation win. That was a 4-3 victory at home against the Panthers back on November 30 when Maxim Afinogenov score the game-winner with 5.5 seconds left in the third period.
You have to go back to the 27th of November to find Atlanta’s last road win in regulation time. That was the 6-4 game in Carolina in which they scored 5 third period goals to overcome a 4-1 deficit after two.
Todd White's over under
- He'll score on or before Jan. 23, 2010 (28%, 13 Votes)
- He's not lighting the lamp until after Jan. 23, 2010 (72%, 34 Votes)
Total Voters: 47
Loading ...Todd White’s goal-less streak now stands at an amazing 29 games…or 35.3% of the season. If he does not break the drought in Boston Wednesday, he’ll have drawn an OH-fer for November and December. Monday night he had no points on zero shots and was a –1. In the last sixteen games, White has 4 assists on 18 shots and is a –3.
Given that…it’s now time to start an “over/under” contest to predict how long it will take White to score next. I’m setting the date to be January 23…yes, of 2010… when the Thrashers play in Tampa Bay. If you think he’ll score in that game or any game prior, pick the “under”…if you predict his slump will continue past that game, pick the “over”.
Me…I’m going with the “over”…partly because I think John Anderson is going to be forced to sit him for a few games and so he’ll lose some time then.
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64 comments Add your comment
Thrashers27
December 29th, 2009
6:53 pm
Kovy,
If I may speak for all of Blueland…
Just sign the freakin’ papers already…at a reasonable price! This crap is clearly hanging over the entire team. You’re lolly-gaggin’ out there on the ice and you’re supposed to be the “Captain”? Sure, you’re ridin a points streak, but just imagine the numbers you could have put up if you weren’t lazily skating circles at the blueline in the defensive zone, or you would actually put in the effort to stop a puck from leaving the zone at the point. That puck hops your stick every-freakin’-time.
We love ya’ and know what you’re truly capable of. Nobody wants to see you go, but I don’t think anyone wants to see you stay at the expense of the team either. Sign a reasonable contract, so a winner can be built with you in the mix and you can get that cup.
GO BLUE!!!
LAC
December 29th, 2009
6:57 pm
I guess what I don’t understand, is this… There are MANY knowledgeable
hockey fans here on this blog and many more who do not blog.
We ALL see the problems with this team… So, Why can’t these so called owners, The Man With NO Brain, well that explains it, waddell and anderson see it too ? I really fail to understand this.
Why are CHANGES NOT being made ? Why are white/little/zach etc… not sitting for some games, or in white’s case WAIVED NOW ! That would reduce payroll by about $2 million next season. The guy is worthless, I would much rather have Joey Crabb here than white.
Let’s face it #17 is NOT going to sign here period. He wants to WIN, like all players do, but like Standec pointed out with this collection of idiot inmature owners, a GM who has to go down in history as the WORST GM in the history of professional sports, and a coach who knows nothing about defense, we will never win.
Esp with owners/waddell, these people ARE THE PROBLEM !
We ALL see it, why can they not see it, just proves the paying fans
know more than anyone else, except some players I guess.
Lastly, why can’t the NHL step in and remove this collection of diaper
boys once and for all ? Can Bettman not see the problems here as well ?
I guess the only way to do it is STAY AWAY from games… This entire mess is just nuts, like I pointed ut earlier, Pittsburgh fired their coach in mid-season last season, GOOD results, Washington fired their coach in mid-season, GOOD results, Why won’t they fire waddell to start cleaning house.
This franchise has been here 10 years now, and nothing hardly to show for it, waddell has been in control since inception and he has proven to be a CAREER LOSER, so why is that worthless piece of CRAP still here ruinng the entire team ? I will never know, But change is GOOD !
I know WE know it, it amazes me that the people calling the shots don’t !
LAC
December 29th, 2009
7:01 pm
Thrashers27, also traded was the Great Ken Klee too…
alex, SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU need a lot more mental help than Mr.Stendec does, your inmature response reminds me of Mr.Pottymouth levenson,
maybe you are ! If so then STICK IT !
Lee
December 29th, 2009
7:30 pm
LAC-With all do respect, there are some things I disagree with:
“The franchise has been here 10 years now, and nothing hardly to show for it…..” Um, 10 years as a hockey team is not that long. Take for example the Detroit Red Wings, MOST of their team is veterans that have discipline and are expeirenced, they have been around since 1926. That’s a long time! And look at their playing! It’s becuase they have let their players develop and learn. If we give the thrashers a couple years, we can let our team be like the red wings!
About firing Waddell, it’s too soon to fire. Again, let the team develop along with DW then decide if we should fire. Our franchise was weak before DW came, so it’s not his fault that he can’t do anything.
One thing I do agree with you on is “Esp with owners/waddell, THESE PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM” Very well said. I’m tired of people saying that if Kovy leaves that the team is over. It’s not. Just like you said “Changes are good.” If Kovy leaves, SO WHAT? You sign new players!!! MORONS! Overall, LAC, I think you are a very smart person.
Lee
December 29th, 2009
7:34 pm
Thrashers27-Good post. We need to get the contract done so I can get these frikin morons that post rumors about Kovy leaving. If he leaves, So What??? Those rumor bloggers need to just shut up. Goal for the thrashers Take care of Kovy, win games, win the cup. (in 10 million years)
alex
December 29th, 2009
8:03 pm
lac ,why you so angry, am i wrong that kovy one of the premier playere in the word. by the way i am alreydy forget what you not study yet about hockey. remember kovy one of the 5 best in the word. appresiate you care my mental, but ignore.
HookyBob
December 29th, 2009
8:34 pm
Rawhide: I admire the braintrust that follows you. Cornbread (breakout issues), Bob (fluky wins & no series win), Matt (groundhogday), Russian (Phily trade & 4th period link), Alan (get Scheinder as coach), Thrasher27 (are you a Thorburn fan?), Brendan, Smoothie, NSD, Paminski, Jimbo, Lee, etc,…what insight you have! I find myself agreeing with all of you wholeheartedly. BTW: Stroz,… had you posted I’m sure I’d have been in step. I trust you are OK?
Despite all the great input I still have lots of questions. Is our main problem goaltending, which is not as sharp as Oct-Nov? Or is it (seems like the chances lately are really high quality)? Maybe the D is to blame? How about the forwards staying lower and helping the D? What does that do to Coach’s system? Doesn’t it depend on the forwards playing high and being more offensive? Coach’s system and good D seems like a bit of a “catch 22″ to me. Right now the offensive system is unable to prevail over our defensive shortcomings/lapses. How can we get a good D and still maintain the offensive thrust?
A few random thoughts:
Stendec, perhaps if Hedberg or Pavlec pulled a “reverse Ballard/Vokun” and took a swing (albeit inadvertantly) at Hainsey or Bogo after someone got in alone on him,….our D would tighten up. And I bet you’d be on the goaltender’s bandwagon. Were you a Billy Smith fan (or, Who was your favorite goalie, alltime)?
A comment on the SI power rankings is worth repeating. If Kovy demands the max salary he will strand a “middle of the road” team at that level for the length of the contract. Seems like blogger opinion now supports a trade rather than the max pay scenario. Who do you think we might be able to get for Kovy? Is there a young “Brendan Shanahan” out there?
Way off topic: Mike Modano, playing his 1,600th game for the same franchise, just scored on a wrist (zing!)shot Joe Sakic would have been proud of.
Finally, I would be surprised if Coach has lost the locker room. He is a well respected NHL vet and long time coach. If he can’t control this lockeroom who could?
Speaking of Milk Carton portraits,…Ranallo and NASCAR where are you?
Go Blue,..lets not have any lapse’s against the Bruins.
Rawhide
December 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
Rawhide: I admire the braintrust that follows you.
HookyBob – I admire them as well. Some of the best Thrashers/hockey commentary happen below my posts. All I have to do is set the table for discussion and everyone comes with their conversational side dishes.
Brendan
December 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
Thrashers27, Waddell did make a much nicer deal with Schneider than I had thought. Several bloggers posted that they didn’t think Waddell got enough for Schneider. But hey, the guy was 40! A second round pick for a 40-year old is a good return. We can’t expect Scotty Bowman-like wizardry out of Waddell.
Segue, what could Waddell get for Pavel Kubina, a pending UFA? Contrary to some people’s beliefs, Kubina has been eligible for a contract extension from the moment Atlanta acquired him. Kubina is not on a one-year deal, only eligible to be re-signed after January 1, 2010. Kubina is in his final year of a 5-year deal with Toronto. Or, maybe it was only a 4-year deal.
And if it was a 4-year deal, what does that matter? For the love of Pete!! I’ll remind anyone who wants to scrutinize that minor detail … that Don Waddell’s alma mater is Western Michigan, in Kalamazoo.
(This should bring out the Northern Michigan, upper penninsula crowd.) I’m always amazed at what gets nit-picked out of my posts, while overall concepts get completely ignored.
As for Waddell, everyone knows he’s dealing with sub-par ownership. Particularly, Bruce Levenson, who was “allegedly, supposedly” the AS, LLC investor with all the vast hockey knowledge and experience with the Washington Capitals. Pfft. Allrighteee, then. But Waddell is not blameless. Nor has he done anything to merit MORE TIME at the helm of this franchise. Waddell inherited NOTHING from a previous GM. Don Waddell was the named GM of this franchise in 1998. He is the one and ONLY GM in the history of this franchise. And while my official stance on that is, “There’s never a WRONG time to fire Waddell,” I can think of some more apt moments, than this one, to do so.
For the record, Waddell has done a better job of rebuilding the second time around. But, this team isn’t ready to do anything, even if it squeaks into the playoffs. The point of the regular season, in my view, is to prepare for the playoffs. To jump up and down over a playoff berth … is to TRUMPET an achievement that over 50-percent of all the league’s teams do every season. While it’s not “meaningless” to qualify for the playoffs, it’s not really the point, either. The point … is for ownership to hire competent management to oversee the franchise for a long, sustained run at the Cup, with a legitimate “window of opportunity” to bring the Stanley Cup to Atlanta. In my view, this is still Year Three of the 4-year building plan, post-NY Rangers sweep. It’s a process. I recognize it as a process. And I’m willing to be patient. It’s the “accountability” demand that I struggle with, as a fan. Try explaining 10 years, 9 seasons, 8 top 10 overall draft picks, and 6 lottery draft selections resulting in one (1) playoff berth and zero (0) playoff wins to hockey fans in NY, Philly, Boston, Detroit, Montreal or Toronto, without making a GM change?
Alan R.
December 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
Bill, definitely “pass” on him as a player.
LAC
December 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Like the Good Old Days on MSG tonight with the GREAT Jiggs Macdonald calling the game, Just kept waiting for Da Boom to say dis about dat…
NorthStarsDave
December 30th, 2009
7:23 am
WOW….the ThrasherBashers are out in force….
The problem with the Thrashers all along has been OWNERSHIP…not Waddell or the Coach….since Day 1….so let’s get over that…until these basketball guys sell the team, we have what we have….
Many do not understand that Waddell is respected by many in USA Hockey…and served as the Asst. GM in Detroit during their heyday before he came to Atlanta….so Waddell is going to be a given…plus we have Dudley…who only has been nothing but successful wherever he has been….so we have another given.
The problem with the Thrashers of late…and has been a prob with all season…isn’t goaltending….isn’t Kovy….isn’t the system….isn’t Anderson…it’s the poor defensive play and the lack of production from Slava, Little (the one-year wonder)…and White (who will not score until February 14th!)….
We are still in 8th Place…and in the Playoffs…despite the losing streak….with Jan-Feb-Mar to play….a lot can still happen….
Hedberg is proving that he is nothing more than a back-up…and not playing OP is doing more harm that good at this point…
Stay patient Thrasher FANS….remember the days when these one goal losses were 4 and 5 goal losses….
And what a GREAT shot by Modano….a North Star forever!
C
Lee
December 30th, 2009
11:49 am
HockeyBob-You are absolutley right about the goaltenders/D. But I find myself blaming the D a little bit more. They cannot seem to get the puck out of the zone. When they try to, it just lands on the other team’s stick. USUALLY, when the other team is in your zone, you need to be there too. Everyone must take a part in playing Defense, every must get a man. So often I find our…hmm…let’s say our better skaters in the neutral zone waiting for a pass! But you get a pass if you can’t get the puck! We as a team need to step up and get a Defensive Gameplan that will work so we can get on offense again.
Now, that said, the goalies are a pretty big part in this too. Sometimes they will make AMAZING saves and other times they suck, bad. Take for example, I think it was the New Jersey game. There was a screen set up in front of Moose Hedberg. The point passed to the center one timer. Moose let in the goal becuase he was down in the splits to late. You HAVE to be ready for any combinations that they can shoot. You can’t just focus on one play that they might do. Also, this is particularly pointing to Hedberg. He is almost always out of his net!! It bothers me sooo much!!! Becuase he isn’t in position to make a save. Personally, I don’t think most goalies should be out of their net unless it is a powerplay.
As for Kovalchuk, hopes are still bright. So many young players out there, but the fact is: We don’t need anymore young players, we need some veterans! Some that have experience and maybe can teach our younger players how to clear the puck!
fanfan
December 31st, 2009
9:03 am
Too many obstacles to overcome, and no future. Sell, sell, sell!