Still some fight, life left in Thrashers after 6-3 win over Sens
OK…so in my previous post I engaged in a little math exercise to show how difficult it would be for the Atlanta Thrashers to overtake the New York Rangers as well as Boston Bruins and make the playoffs. The numbers, as of yesterday, did not look very good at all…and the schedule looked equally as rough.
Nope…didn’t look good at all.
Then the Thrashers go out and smack the Ottawa Senators 6-3. To make matters even that much better, New York then gets beat by St. Louis 4-3 and Boston gets blanked by the Pens 3-0. With that the simple math calculates to…3 points out of the playoffs with 12 games left.
Oh…and the Bruins are in town Tuesday.
Johnny Oduya is checked against the boards by Ottawa's Erik Karlsson (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
In between now and then, however, is a pair of games against the Philadelphia Flyers… Saturday here, Sunday there. Were the Thrashers to actually sweep the two…don’t laugh, we are 2-0-0 this season against them…then Tuesday matchup could be for that 8th spot in the east.
Boston plays the Rangers Sunday afternoon…so that’ll be an interesting matchup to watch as well.
The Thrashers still have a bit of an uphill climb here…but by putting a solid effort together against a playoff-bound team, combined with a couple other outcomes that went their way, they at least have put themselves in a better position.
As for the game itself…like I said above, it was one of those rare games this season that the Thrashers played what could be called a complete game. Not a perfect game, mind you…but a good solid effort from start to finish.
They got on the board early when Evgeny Artyukhin took advantage of a misplayed puck at the blueline by Andy Sutton…remember him?…and slipped the biscuit past Brian Elliott at the 2:35 mark of the first period. They advanced that margin to 2-0 early on in the second when Jim Slater deflected home a pass from the left side by someone in the #12 jersey.
I say “the #12 jersey” because…well…I don’t really know who that was, but I wish I knew what he did with Todd White. This guy was playing some pretty darned good hockey Tuesday night. In the first, he caused my oldest tax exemption to exclaim, “Hey, is that Todd White fighting for the puck in the corner? Who does he think he is?”
For the night, “Todd White”…or whoever he was…finished with 2 assists and +3 rating.
Nik Antropov tipped home a pair of goals… both while Atlanta enjoyed a man advantage. In the second period he deflected in a Pavel Kubina shot…Kubina was originally credited with the goal but the score sheet I’m looking shows him with it. He later gave the Thrashers a 4-3 in the third when he did the same off a Toby Enstrom shot from the point.
Yes, that was a Toby Enstrom shot while on the power play…in the same game Todd White played very well and was a +3 with 2 helpers. There are some strange things happening in Thrasherville.
The assists was also Toby’s 100th in his NHL career.
Colby Armstrong then salted the game away with a pair of goals to put the score at 6-3. The first came about a minute and a half after Antropov gave them the lead…taking possession of the puck just inside the Senators blueline when Chris Phillips bobbled the puck. Later Army lit the lamp again with assists going to Slater and White.
Regarding the Thrashers playoff chances, Armstrong said, “We’re chipping away at it…hopefully it will be for the best”.
Johan Hedberg faced 39 shot on his goal…and one to his jaw when Jarkko Ruutu knocked him over in the crease chasing the loose puck. The play resulted in one peeved Moose as the goalie had to be held back from trying to…ahem…discuss the matter with referee Stephane Auger.
“He couldn’t get back to the net and was elbowed in the face”, coach John Anderson quipped after the game. “Other than that, the ref said it was a good hockey goal”.
As the play happened, I couldn’t help but remember a goal that was disallowed last week that would have tied the game against Nashville. The refs waived it off because it was ruled Armstrong …no, it was Thorburn…interfered with the keeper, not allowing him to play the puck. But that play was nowhere near as egregious as this one.
With the win, Hedberg moved his season record to 18-13-52.69 GAA and .914 SV%.
I ask you, where would we be without the Moose right now? I’ll tell you where we wouldn’t be…we wouldn’t be just 3 points away from the playoffs with 12 games left to play, that’s for sure.
Who’s That Lady?
The lovely lady that was seen on the big screen in Philips Arena during the Two-Minute Drill contest was none other than Mrs. RStroz. Unfortunately, she did not win as the Thrashers were killing off a penalty for most of those two minutes…thank you Mark Popovic.
Oh…and RStroz was next to her.
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80 comments Add your comment
Brendan
March 19th, 2010
11:49 am
Every game, since the Holidays, has been critical, essential, “huge,” etc. Nothing will change, unless the Thrashers are mathematically eliminated, either through their own play, or the improved play/results of the teams all around them. Even the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are still in this thing.
Boston is without Savard for the rest of the season, I believe. The NY Rangers have no consistency. Montreal went on a streak. They’re just as apt to put a losing streak like that together. We can’t rule out Tampa Bay, either. With so many middling teams, any of them ‘could’ get in. The NHL likes this situation. It should prop up attendance, down the stretch.
This is a very, very fortunate year for weaker teams in the East. Normally, 93-94 points would be required to make the playoffs. It might only take 87 or 88 points to get in this year. One year, I think it was 2003, the NY Islanders made it in at 83-points, one game over .500, “NHL-style.” It all depends on the year.
The sad part is … Atlanta may well finish the year with 85-88 points, be tied with two other teams, and wind up 10th in the Conference, according to various tie-breakers. At least these games MATTER. I think Atlanta is 21st or 22nd in the league of 30. If they falter, they could get into the lottery draft. If they go on a tear, they could wind up 16th or 17th or 18th in the league and inside the playoffs. It should be a strange and exciting finish to the season.
Red Light
March 19th, 2010
12:00 pm
ECAC Hockey Fans, I know you’re out there! Cinderella teams don’t just happen in the college basketball tournament.
Brown (12-19-4), which finished 11th of 12 ECAC teams during the regular season, faces second-place Cornell today at 4 p.m. for a berth in the ECAC finals. St. Lawrence and Union play for the other slot at 7 p.m. Both games will be shown on the NHL Network today/tonight.
Brown has never won an ECAC title.
World Be Free
March 19th, 2010
12:04 pm
Schroder-TOTALLY agree. Back in the day you’d punch first and ask questions later. I wonder what Assoc. GM Rick Dudley would have done in that situation? Actually, I know what he would have done.
Ruutu, Neil, Sutton, Cooke would not have survived in the 70’s and 80’s. Kaleta went after Stamkos last night. In the old days he would have been toast!
It shouldn’t be-”Do you want to go?”
It should be- “We are going so get ready!”
Mrs. Zoomo
March 19th, 2010
12:07 pm
My husband stole the quote I was going to use!!!!!!
Schroeder
March 19th, 2010
12:21 pm
I compare it to an exchange w/the ex-wife,”I’m gonna get mine,you better get yours!!”
Schroeder
March 19th, 2010
12:23 pm
To you younger folks,that was not a reference to fighting.
Schroeder
March 19th, 2010
12:32 pm
Sorry,the mind kinda wandered a bit.
Thrashers27
March 19th, 2010
12:44 pm
For those wondering what our goaltending will look like next year, have a look at this article. It’s buried a couple of paragraphs down, but sounds like Mannino could be the man ‘tween the pipes next season.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=521695
Netminder
March 19th, 2010
12:51 pm
Thrashers27 nice read. Thanks.
Smoothie
March 19th, 2010
12:57 pm
Did somebody mention Jekyl and Hyde?? The Thrashers’ wild inconsistency is maddening. To wit, check out these odd-ball stats since THE trade:
Record: 6 – 6 – 3 (6 game point streak followed by 5/6 game losing streak followed by 2/3 game win/points streak)
In the 6 game point streak: Shots Against Avg of 35.67; Shots For Avg of 30.5; Goals Against of 2.83; Goals For of 4.00
In the 5 game losing streak: Shots Against Avg of 30.2; Shots For Avg of 29.8; Goals Against of 3.80; Goals For of 1.20 (WTF?)
In the recent 3 game points streak: SAA of 35.0; Shots For Avg of 31.33; GAA of 2.67; Goals For Avg of 4.00
Apparently, as long as they give up at least 35 shots on goal, they manage to average 4.00 goals scored on their opponent. Yet, when they attempt to play it closer to the vest and clamp down on shots, they give up an average of 3.8 on only a 30.2 shots against avg. That’s a miserable save percentage of .874!! What in the hell?
Obviously, JA’s system thrives in a game when they can rope-a-dope their opponent and get grade-A breakaway chances and odd-man rushes in transition that exploit their opponent’s over-aggressiveness. In games they lose, we know they have a tendency of getting down early and then the other team goes into, often successfully, shut-down mode. If we can avoid the slow starts, perhaps this team can win 4 or 5 of the next 6 points vs Philly and Bahstahn.
But from game to game, we really don’t know which Thrasher team will show up! Or do we?? Looking at the recent trend, does this mean we will enjoy 2 or 3 more games of earning points? I sure hope so!
BAAAAA freakin’ BAAAAAA infidels!!
Rightshot
March 19th, 2010
1:01 pm
moriler – I did see the slash on ruutu, but from my POV, it looked like Kubina was going for a stick lift and happened to hit his wrist instead. Why the ref called a slash on an upward motion is beyond me.
What should have happed, as opined above, ruutu should have been pummelled about the head and shoulders for his hit on Moose. Not tripped, slashed or whatever. He deserved nothing else.
World Be Free
March 19th, 2010
1:08 pm
Classic Schroeder!
It does get confusing sometimes
Smoothie-I think the Thrashers’ success is more related to how well the opposing team is playing. we did well tuesday becuase Buffalo was sleep walking thru the first period. I don’t want to make it sound like we get lucky, but…..
FormerIslesFan
March 19th, 2010
1:14 pm
Okay, just a little bit of a vent here. Nothing new that we haven’t discussed before, but I have to say this one…
WTF is with the NHL on the Fly guys? The Thrashers bury the Sens with a great effort. At the same time, NYR lose (whoo-hoo!!) in regulation as do the Bruins closing the gap for the 8th spot in the East to 3 points.
What do the talking heads say after the highlights? They talk for three minutes about the “11 game win streak of the Sens” from months ago being history (DUH-5) and absolutely nothing about the Thrashers. They mention nothing about the tight race in the East for that playoff spot (or the effect of the other games) and certainly don’t say anything about Boston coming to Atlanta next week.
Now, I understand Canadian bias and playing to a crowd, but come on… Even Lilibeter said to me this morning, “Do you think the fans in Ottawa are even scratching their heads wondering why they didn’t say anything about the team that just shelacked us??”
Okay…I feel a little better now…
Rightshot
March 19th, 2010
1:16 pm
And to clarify, once the Thrashers got the 3 goal lead, THEN they needed to go after ruutu. Get the lead, pummell ruutu, win.
Easy.
World Be Free
March 19th, 2010
1:23 pm
FormerIslesFan-it’s like NFL Network’s obsession with the Dallas Cowboys and ESPN’s obsession with Tiger, Kobe and Lebron.
HockeyBuzz loves the Flyers too; that’s why it will be so much fun to watch them get bounces from the playoffs early this year!
rob
March 19th, 2010
1:31 pm
Savannah,
It was HUGE to see Toby shoot! Happened more than once too (think I counted 4 shots). AND he had a multi point night!!! Wonder if there is a correlation there? Hmm, shots equal scoring chances equal goals and assists. Maybe there is something there. Now let’s keep on him about it because we should get HUGE production out of him if he does it consistantly.
ruutu has been like that every game I’ve ever watched and he played in. Nothing but a cheap bum
rob
March 19th, 2010
1:41 pm
Thrashers27,
Couldn’t get the link there, but seems I recall while he was up over the Olympic break him saying something about how much faster things happened on the ice here. I know they have to get his feet wet and all, but Pavs isn’t close to ready for the NHL, if they wanted to try Mannino, give him a shot, but we are gonna need to sign a bona fide goalie in the off season! Guess I won’t stress about it now but I hope like hell they aren’t thinking about NOT getting one. Then they can bring Pavs/Mannino along at their pace instead of forcing them to the detriment of the team.
Thrashers27
March 19th, 2010
2:48 pm
Rob,
Mannino is already 26 years old. Don’t know how much more seasoning he could use. At some point there have to be guys that can step in and play here. I would think as well as Mannino is playing the AHL that he could do well here too. Mannino’s numbers go like this: 23-3 with a .926 save percentage and 2.12 GAA and he’s riding a 13 game winning streak. Pretty stellar numbers if you ask me. I’d say he definitely deserves a look.
Look at a guy like Varlamov in Washington. He came up and immediately established himself as a solid NHL goaltendener…in the playoffs no-less. We also have Mcyntire, Kangas and Carrozi who have potential…and don’t forget the Moose. He’s playing inspired hockey right now. MOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!
rob
March 19th, 2010
5:23 pm
I agree give him the chance, I saw before the olympic break he had some great numbers. That being said goalie and defense are often positions that require additional time to develop, and goalie is the one position you dam well better be strong in if your aspirations are to go past the 1st round. Moose is playing inspired hockey, and he has to keep playing above himself if we have any hopes this year, and going forward I hope we have more good prospects in the works, but we will need help in goal sooner, and if it happens that one of them materialize sooner than expected…awesome that is a spot that it is always enviable to be in…more than 2 quality goalies right? I would think if they thought Mannino was ready he would have replaced Pavs, who obviously isn’t there yet. Should be a good camp next year with all the things going on…hopefully between what we have gotten this year and the hard-working Wolves ready to make the jump, we can solidify and be a team to be taken seriously next year, I hope (not taking anything away from this year either of course).
Lee
March 19th, 2010
10:19 pm
The thing is ’bout the Thrashers is that they always win to the good teams and they always lose to the suckish teams, I don’t get it….but keep playing like they did yesterday and beat the livin’ life outta the Philadelphia Cheestakes!!
GO THRASHERS!
Yung JB from MTL
March 20th, 2010
12:28 am
I had the awesome oppurtunity to watch the game on TV since it was on RDS, and hell was I satisfied! What I hate though is all you guys that follow the stupid bandwagon every time the Thrashers lose, and then right aways change to ”March to the Playoffs” mode.
Most of you were asking the thrashers to pack in for the Draft lottery. I hate nay-sayers. just sayin’
Anyways I think we have awesome chances to make the playoffs. Boston with no savard is like the Thrashers without Kov…. wait bad comparaison
GO THRASH. BIGGEST FAN IN MONTREAL
fes
March 20th, 2010
12:48 am
I don’t think ‘most of us’ wanted them to pack it in Yung JB. There are those that think that’s the right approach, but I think the majority of us want the team to go all out 82+ nights per year, no matter what position we hold in the standings. Do like the rest of us and skip over the negative posters. It makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
World Be Free
March 20th, 2010
8:36 am
I have to admit that Todd White has come alive the past week or so. I wonder if it was his image on a milk carton that got him going! Saw him actually through some body check in the past few games, though I would not characterize them as “thundering” body checks.
We are going to need Bolts and Arty for the Flyers.
Dwayne
March 20th, 2010
10:12 am
Did someone say ruuto has nuts???
Alan R.
March 20th, 2010
2:17 pm
Attempt #2:
It seems that Stephane Auger strikes again.
Scotty
March 20th, 2010
4:21 pm
Looks like JH is goal tonight again. Good. Pavelec can handle the load tomorrow. Wouldn”t it be something if Tuesday night’s game against the Bs is for a playoff spot? Whoda thunk it a week ago?
Regarding the Kiss Cam couple for seventh fan award, I would think this would be something the fan club would be all over. For those of you who are members of the ATFC, what are your thoughts?
Brendan
March 20th, 2010
8:06 pm
So, how would anyone assessing the Thrashers chances, from the trade deadline forward, know that Marc Savard would get injured for the season, and open a closed door? Would knew the Flyers would lose two goaltenders and be forced to go with Boucher for the rest of the way? Who knew or even suspected that Ottawa would implode, when they came into the Olympic break “en fuego?” And finally, who would have thought that, an 0-5-1 stretch of post trade deadline play … could even remotely leave the Thrashers still in the hunt?
These are fortunate accidents. Or serendipity. Maybe the Thrashers will make the playoffs. I’m rotting for that. But it wouldn’t have been my opinion that Atlanta would make the playoffs at the trade deadline. Even the Rangers are a question mark for the playoffs. But if the Thrashers make the playoffs, due to the misfortunes of others, does this mean that Atlanta “correctly assessed” its situation at the trade deadline?
Bear in mind … if Philly’s goaltending remains healthy, is there any chance they miss the postseason? If Marc Savard stays healthy, and Tim Thomas plays better, who thinks Boston could miss the dance? Who saw Montreal putting a streak together?? Beee honest. And the Florida Panthers, who cashed-in their chips for the season, are still very much alive. It speaks to just HOW WEAK the seeds 6-13 really are.
The East might see 4 teams finish with 88-points. Some will get in. Some won’t. Atlanta wasn’t a good bet to be a playoff team. But it’s still possible. Like it’s still possible for Florida. And shoot, Carolina won AGAIN. What’s the ‘Canes record … since (1) Eric Staal was made Captain and (2) Cam Warn returned from injury. Ask anyone if they thought Carolina had a snowball’s chance in Hades of making the playoffs. They’re NOT mathematically eliminated yet.
And doesn’t that speak VOLUMES about what’s going on? It’s all craziness.
stendek
March 20th, 2010
9:55 pm
Hi Rawhide. Guys did well! At least one point is mandatory in Pennsylvania to maintain any realistic playoff aspirations. See what losing six winnable games does? Do I smell a Pavs Lehtonen appearance upcoming? SHUDDER! Oh well. Certainly savor what I witnessed tonight. As all true Thrasher followers should have. That said…How old is Johan Hedberg? 20? 26? Surely no older than 29! Moose was phenomenal Saturday night at Blueland. Two goals surrendered. Against the Philly Highflyers! Does it get much better than that? No! The Thrashers were in their blue uniforms at Philips Arena. Hopefully they will not unpack their pink don’t give a crap uniforms Sunday in the City of Unbrotherly Love! When Thrashers play they can compete with any NHL squad. When the Thrashers decide to figure skate they can lose to any high school hockey squad! Too bad that horrendous slide probably cost the guys a playoff spot. Thrashers played some of the worst hockey imaginable during that nightmarish stretch! Hope it is not a case of too little too late. Wanted to climb into the stands to kick some butt during overwhelming vocal outpourings during Philly goals. Both of them! This is Thrasher ice. Oh well. Take a bow Johan. Stage a curtain call Thrashers. Well done everyone! Keep up the high intensity level. ++STENDEK++
Brendan
March 20th, 2010
10:32 pm
Looking for a Ranallo warning and finding none, I shall proceed. Great win! That’s 3-0-1, for seven of a possible eight (7/8) points. Since the Coyotes game, things have gone Atlanta’s way. Boston plays the Rangers tomorrow afternoon, if I heard Darren Eliot correctly. I think we root for a regulation-time win. I can’t tell who we want that to be. If we say, the NY Rangers, they pull closer to us. If we say, Boston, then the Bruins extend their lead.
This upcoming schedule represents the season. Toronto twice. Carolina twice. And the faltering Bruins. Don’t count on ten points just yet. Toronto hasn’t played badly in their last 10-12 games. Carolina is one of the hottest teams in the league. Don’t let their record fool you. I feel more confidently about beating Boston than I do Carolina.
That those 5 games (Toronto twice, Carolina twice, and Boston,) a really rough end of the season follows. Like I said, I think we WILL defeat New Jersey and Pittsburgh at least once each. New Jersey got shutout by the non-playoff bound St. Louis Blues, 1-0. Kovy lending them offense they lacked? Shrugs.
Nashville and Columbus are in overtime, in a scoreless tie. 0-0. See? Goals are getting harder to come by, at this time of year. Segue, Moose Hedberg, over the past four games, has given up 12 goals. That’s an average of 3 per game. Will a GAA of 3-per-game be enough to get it done for Atlanta? We’ll have to keep watching.
Folks, if the Thrashers come away with nine (9) points from Carolina twice, Toronto twice, and Boston, they’re going to have a real chance to make the playoffs. But if they come away with no points from Carolina, one from Toronto, and two from Boston, for a total of three out of a possible ten (3/10), it’ll be over, barring utter collapse of all the teams around us.
Predators just won, 1-0, in overtime over the Blue Jackets.
Smoothie
March 21st, 2010
12:16 am
Regardless of what happens rest of the way, ’twas a magnificent nite at Blueland. Nice to see the boys take it to those cheap-shotting ass clowns from Filthadelphia! Especially with 2,000 of their fans in our bldg. But I reckon the other 14,000 folks were quite tickled by the Blueland beatdown!