AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2005 > December > 07
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Big guns have been quiet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Tuesday the Thrashers sank to their lowest point of the season — a five-game losing streak that leaves them six games under .500.
How surprised are you by this? Thrashers coach Bob Hartley has pointed out that while the team’s third-and fourth-liners have been producing — Brad Larsen had his second goal in three games on Tuesday and Patrik Stefan was among the team’s most energeticskaters on Tuesday — the team’s best players are not playing their best.
Ilya Kovalchuk is now without a goal in his last four games and has just one point in that span (he has been a minus in every one of those games).
Marc Savard has the same offensive production and also has been a minus in all four games. On Monday, his penalty resulted in a power play goal that tied the game. On Tuesday, it ended a power play as the Thrashers were trying to rally from a two-goal deficit.
The goaltending, by rookie Michael Garnett making his seventh straight start, was ordinary.
What do you think are at the roots of the current spate of losing and where do you assess blame? (I know there are plenty here who would like to debate Don Waddell, his draft history and the Dany Heatley trade, but regardless of those, this team was supposed to be much better. Try to stick to the 20 guys who are on the ice every night.)
