AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2005 > December > 08
Thursday, December 8, 2005
New chance for Stefan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tomorrow night, the Thrashers host the team with the second-worst record in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is a team missing its best player, Rick Nash, its best young defenseman, Rostislav Klesla, and its No. 1 goalie, Marc Denis, all because of injuries.
If this isn’t the recipe to end a five-game losing streak, I’m not sure what is.
But, this is the NHL and they’re all professionals, so who knows, especially the way the Thrashers have been going.
Patrik Stefan, after receiving the least amount of ice time on the team in recent games, is getting another chance from coach Bob Hartley. He’ll skate on a line with Marian Hossa on the right and Slava Kozlov, moving back to his familiar left wing after about five weeks at center.
Before Stefan injured his abdominal muscles, he had played pretty well between Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk. Since coming back, he mostly has been relegated to fourth-line duty where he is ill-suited to playing with the likes of Eric Boulton. He had one of his best games in recent memory on Tuesday in San Jose, as he used his speed to his advantage.
Do you think this change can help spark a turnaround and, if not, how significant would you rate it if the Thrashers lose to the Blue Jackets and fall seven games under .500?
