AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFlorida still battling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got done reading Dave O’Brien’s Braves blog, because I was looking for ideas to make this one better. If you haven’t read his entry yet today, he blogs about cruising central florida with a cigar under the shining sun. And just for a moment, I was jealous. I mean, here I am, just returning from a morning skate at frigid Philips Arena, and spending my afternoon booking 6 a.m. flights to places like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Boston - not exactly spring break hotspots in March.
But then I remembered something that we have here at the Thrashers blog, that they can’t get in the Braves blog — playoff hockey. Yeah, it’s getting close. There already has been an amped-up atmosphere at Philips Arena, and I expect that to continue tonight. The Panthers are calling the game tonight, the biggest of the year. One writer said Olli Jokinen called tonight’s game the biggest of his career. See, Florida is playing well, and some of the Panthers have gotten the idea that they aren’t out of the playoff hunt. They don’t care that they’d have to leapfrog Boston, Toronto, New York, Montreal and Carolina just to get the 8th spot — they still think they’re alive.
Do I agree? Nope, but then again I’m not behind Florida’s bench. This is a team playing with an air of desperation, and playing good hockey, so the Thrashers will need to continue playing at the high level they’ve played since the Tkachuk trade.
Like I told you yesterday, Eric Boulton is in tonight. I chatted with him briefly after the skate and he said it’s been tough watching - the guy is a competitor and wants to be out there. But the byproduct of the recent trades is more competition for playing time, which I know Bob Hartley enjoys. We’ll see Boulton on a line with Slater and Mellanby.
Eric Belanger skated this morning after getting Monday’s practice off. Everything was fine there, he said he was just getting a breather. Marian Hossa and Slava Kozlov didn’t skate this morning, but they have the option of skipping, and Hartley confirmed that is why they weren’t there. It also led to this exchange, paraphrased because I wasn’t taking notes:
Me: Hossa and Kozlov weren’t out there…
Hartley: It was an optional skate, they’re fine. I told Tkachuk and Zhitnik it was optional for them too.
Me: They didn’t take you up on the offer?
Hartley: I told them when they were already out there.
I also chatted with Brad Larsen, who as a few of you noted, seemed to play with a lot of energy against Carolina. He said he’s just now feeling 100 percent from his groin injury, and that the addition of Dupuis to his line has brought another dimension to that line. It’s opening things up a little more for Larsen and Holik — don’t be surprised to see a goal from one of them tonight.
Talked with Jon Sim for a few minutes, just wanted to get a feel for how the Tkachuk, Kovalchuk, Sim combo was working out. The line is still scoreless since Tkachuk came over (Kovalchuk’s goal was on the power play) — Sim said they’re getting chances (which they are) and also pointed out that they had a goal taken away (Sim scored, but the play was offsides) against Carolina. So he’s confident that things will be clicking soon.
Lastly, I got mustache growing tips from Garnet Exelby. Who needs cigars and Florida sunshine when you can get facial hair advice?
Comments
By Brendan
March 6, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Bob Hartley slays me. He told his guys the practice was optional AFTER they got on the ice at the rink.
That’s priceless. I’m writing that one down.
I hope Hossa’s okay. I know he returned and scored in the Carolina game. But that doesn’t mean he’s really 100-percent.
Big divisional game! Russ, what’s your projected final score? I’m thinking 4-2, Thrashers. :)
By Bob
March 6, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Florida, sun, cigars? Bah. You’re right, playoff atmosphere and another big game tonight beats all that, hands down.
I agree that the Panthers have little chance, but good for them to make a run, it’ll help them next year.
I hope our boys are ready. I assume that Billion Dollar Eddie will get the start. 4-2 Thrashers, The Eagle gets pulled in the 1st after giving up two quick ones.
By Russian
March 6, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
I think it will be very nervious and Difficult Game. I am going to see it tonight on Philips. I hope we will win, but I am thinking it will be OT or SO. :-)
By Lee
March 6, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
CC, at least you git us, right? I mean where would your blog be without us? I like to think we complete it…Ha. but seriously, you’re the man.
By Russian
March 6, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
I think it will be very nervous and Difficult Game. I am going to see it tonight on Philips. I hope we will win, but I am thinking it will be OT or SO. :-)
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Brendan — Yeah, that comment from Hartley drew a pretty good laugh from everyone who heard it. I have no reason to think Hossa won’t be okay. (wow, there was probably an easier way to say that) I’m guessing that if he had any issues with the hand, he wouldn’t have practiced on Monday. He also had a couple nice chances after he crashed into the boards - but we’ll watch it closely.
By gretschdrum
March 6, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Craig,
What’s the latest on Rucchin and his dome/foot? With that in mind, where is he going to play when he gets back? Fourth line? Finally, if you haven’t made nice nice with the folks at XM 204 Home Ice, you should. You’d bring a LOT to the table regarding their coverage of the Thrashers. Please let us know if you’re going to be on.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 6, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
I also would like to know if they modeled the “mullet” wig after Rucchins “hair”.
By Russ
March 6, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Brendan, to be honest I don’t have a good feeling about this game, so I’ll just make a vague prediction that it will be a one goal game (possibly in OT) and hope for the best.
I honestly think Florida still does have a shot at the Playoffs. I would have probably counted them out 10 days ago, but their current 4 game winning streak has somewhat resurrected their playoff hopes.
The two conferences are kind of looking like polar opposites coming down the stretch. In the West the eight playoff teams are basically decided and all they have left to play for is seeding. In the East I don’t think anyone other than Buffalo and New Jersey is a lock to get in just yet and Philly and Washington are probably the only two teams that have no shot (in my opinion). There will be a lot of games in the East with playoff type atmosphere the rest of the season…should be fun.
One more thing…I would like to nominate myself for dedicated Thrasher fan of the night because I was supposed to go to my in-laws for supper tonight, but had my wife make up an excuse for me to get out of it so I wouldn’t miss the game. My wife’s a trooper…she got me out of it…but I have a feeling I’ll be paying for this for a while…sometimes you just have to take one for the team.
GO THRASHERS!!!
By Bob
March 6, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
See now, that’s the kind of woman you marry, you’re a lucky man. She’s got her priorities straight.
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Gretschdrum — When I started factoring recovery team, and getting back in hockey shape time, I started thinking Rucchin would be done for the year, but Hartley hasn’t counted him out yet. I’ll have to sit down with Rucchin at some point here soon, because we’re getting close to the two-week point for his foot. If he does come back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him center a line with Tkachuk and Kovalchuk.
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Gretsch - I haven’t been contacted by anyone at XM, I’ll let you know if that changes.
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Lee: You guys do complete the blog — except for when a fight breaks out over television coverage.
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Russ - Sounds like your wife deserves fan of the night honors, all you’re giving up is dinner with the in-laws. She’s the one covering for you. I would never lie to my in-laws. Never. (I hope they’re reading this)
By Russ
March 6, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
CC - That’s probably true, except my wife isn’t really a hockey fan…but I do owe her big time.
By Russ
March 6, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Craig - If/when the Thrashers are in the playoffs this season, what is your take on how short of a leash Lehtonen would be on? Do you think Hartley would go with Hedberg after one bad game or do you think he would ride Lehtonen as far as he could regardless of how he was playing? Also, if he went to Hedberg for one game and he played well do you think he would stick with Hedberg for successive games like he has in the regular season? I’m just curious of how he might handle the goalie situation in the playoffs.
By Ben
March 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
If the T-Birds don’t make it, DW gets it. I really feel that they need to add a scoring center from the free agent ranks. That has been the main problem all year. Someone ought to hire new scouts for ametours. All these busts are a pattern.
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Russ, I am with you on this topic with Florida. If they continue to play they way they are, then the Thrash need to worry. Big….Big Game tonight. Hope the Thrash are ready and don’t down play a lower tiered team.
By Craig Custance
March 6, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Russ - I think Lehtonen will have a fairly long leash in the playoffs, you don’t want to damage the psyche of your young cornerstone goaltender. I know they’re hoping Lehtonen is this year’s version of the hot goalie who leads a team to the finals, because every year there is one.
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Great win, tough game though. We haven’t heard the last of Florida yet. Kari had a great game. One thing about Kari that I see, when he gets TOO confident he starts doing crazy things. Kovy’s garbage goal I thought was great. And this guy Tkachuk, heard of him? What a game, thank god for the rental. 2 POINTS!
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
One more thing, the Refs were a bit too eager with the whistles. Should get better as the playoffs get closer. For those who were at the game, you has a good one. Kari’s folks still in town?
By Bob
March 6, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
If Lehtonen can keep this play up, we can make a run in the playoffs. Coach needs to work Moose in here once or twice more to keep Kari ready for the playoffs.
Tkachuk with the monster game tonight, Kovy too. Very nice 3rd period.
Let’s go, Canucks.
By LAC
March 6, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Bob does it again !!!! 4-2…
Give a prediction on thursday…
Excellent game again, but FL was really flying, notice how they attacked us, when we had the advantage… We need to do more of the same.
We are now in FIRST or THIRD depending on how to look at it,need a Vancouver win tonight for sure. Even if they win, we will move into 5th, since Pittsburgh is losing big to Ottawa.
By Beau Vighn
March 6, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
It was a great game tonight. Any win at this stage is a good one. I never felt comfortable until the clincher with about 2 min’s. left. Kari needs to leave the puck handling to the blueliners behind the net. Montreal will be a real battle. They are fighting for their playoff life.Oh yeah, Welcome to Blueland K.T.
By BG33Brown
March 6, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
LAC Thanks for the jinxs-pens scored 3 in the third.
GO Canucks.
By Beau Vighn
March 6, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
Settling in for a late night to watch the ‘bolts and the Canucks. I thought our power play was a little sluggish tonight. It may have been the aggressive penalty kill of Fla. They wee all over us before we could get set up.
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
LAC, I agree with you with attacking while a man down-Fl really took away any momentum.
By westcoastbird
March 6, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
F* Ottawa
By yellowjax
March 6, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Wow,we beat a very good Florida team tonight. They were flying. Had me worried for a while. Man I like Tkachuk. We have needed a tough guy in front of the net all year. Mellanby had done an OK job but Tkachuk really cause havoc. GREAT GAME - Bring on the Habs
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Watching the Van Bolts via internet. Yahoo sports I think. Go You Crazy Canucks!
By Hanson Brothers
March 6, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Good call Brendan and Bob on the 4-2 score. I hope you guys are playing the lottery tonight. Got any early predictions for Thursday. Go Canucks!!
By Hanson Brothers
March 6, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
1-0 Vancouver! Go Canucks!!
By Ryan
March 6, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Jeff Cowan Yes!
By Tom
March 6, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Don;t have time to read tonight, but a couple of observations on the game.
Good
KT and Ilya are seeing the same game now, the pass up the gut was a thing of beauty and Ilya made a couple of other great passes to KT. Nice to see Cap Rat come in with those 2 in the 3rd period.
Getting Ilya off the point has opened things up and having 2 pp lines is giving some flexibility. One PP they put out the 1st for 40 sec, 2nd for 40 and third for 40… looked good
Forecheck looked solid and under control leading to opportunities.
EX played a great fundamental game out there. His positioning and support was fantastic.
Bad - 5 on 3 … way to much time spent passing, my 6 year old said “Daddy, don’t they know you should only pass 3 times before a shot on the PP?” Bob could learn a thing from my boy. It looked like we were trying to get Kolvy the dream shot and FL was defending it.
Kari’s puck handling. Atrocious… If FL was on their game they could have had 2 easy goals. He is outstanding between the pipes but the Kangaroo court should fine his butt every time he comes out of the net the rest of the season.
The Fans. Place was a morgue the first 2 periods. I was on the top row of 122 and could hear the linesman call offsides. Look folks, life is stressful for me and I can not get to many games. If you do not give me support when I am trying to yell and vent, we need to talk. It ain’t golf, it is hockey.
Overall a solid win
By Tom
March 6, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Oh and Russ , pshahhh… My mother in law flew in from Australia and my wife and I ditched her at home to get to the game and had her babysit. I will be paying for this one for years….
But she deserves it, she is a Buffalo fan… :>
By Russ
March 6, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
Brendan and Bob - Good call on the score.
Tom - I’m glad to see you have your priorities straight, even more than I do.
Good win tonight, it’s nice to see the team winning while working on chemistry with the new guys. I knew the additions would work in the long run, but I thought there might be more hiccups than this until they all got on the same page. Zhitnik has been a huge steadying influence on the blue line…I believe bringing him in for Coburn will prove to be the best of the recent trades.
By Tony C.
March 6, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Listen I’ll take the cocky I’m-Showing-out-for-my-mom&dad version of The Kid well over the guy who was fighting 60-footers just a few weeks ago.
Was a good game tonight, I especially liked seeing #17 pick up his goal in the bloody-nose zone. The lead pass to Tkachuk’s breakout was purdy huh? I hope we see more of this type of thing.
I thought the defense was having trouble with communication-some breakdowns that hopefully will get cleaned up with a bit more time together.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By Tom
March 6, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Russ,
Heck, she already has a problem with me. I am also a NY Giants fan, and whenever I win an arguement with my mother in law or wife who are from Buffalo, I just hold my arms straight up and say “Wide Right”
My guess, she has been praying for my wife to remarry for years. :>
By Tom
March 7, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
Mea Culpa on my analysis. On TV the 5 on 3 looked much better than it did from my seats. So take the 5 on 3 off the bad list.
By Tony C.
March 7, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
No.
Two 5-on-3s 0 goals=BS
That won’t get it done next month. But the PP is improving
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
P.S. yahoo’s streaming schedule here
By Brendan
March 7, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
Thanks Russ. Bring on the Habs! Unfortunately, they kept Sheldon Souray for the very purposes of making the playoffs.
Hanson Brothers, thank you. I bought three lottery tix tonight. If I win, I’m buying a suite at Philips Arena. And all bloggers are welcome.
Ahhh, a prediction for Thursday. Hmmn, Thrashers win 3-2 in overtime, on a goal by Ilya Kovalchuk.
By Tom
March 7, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
Brendan
My wife and I were laughing that if we won, we would buy the seats we have and the row in front so we would always have a clear view… lol
By Bob
March 7, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
I fell asleep trying to stay up for the Tampa game last night, I saw Cowan’s first goal, nice work Jeff!
Tampa continues their tought road trip at the Oilers tonight, Edmonton is reeling, so I’d like to see them bounce back tonight against Tampa.
Montreal has been struggling also and our club is shifting into high gear, let’s go with 4-1 Thrashers. We’re on a roll.
By Sean
March 7, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
Brendan, I’m going to hold you to that. ;)
By Brendan
March 7, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Tom, as a couple, I like the way you guys think!
Sean, I’m a man of my word. You’re welcome in the suite. Sadly, when I checked my Megamillion tickets this morning the lottery machine spewed back a response that read: “Even WEEEE cannot believe how badly you’ve done in this lottery. But please, feel free to keep on trying.” I guess the winning ticket in Georgia was purchased in Dalton. Well, good. I’m glad at least one of the winners was from Georgia.
Bob, I’d gladly take a 4-1 win over a nail-bitter OT outcome. Stick it to ‘em early and often. Atlanta does have a bad tendency to blow large leads. But maybe that was BEFORE the trade deadline.
I’m not afraid of Tampa Bay as a 1st round opponent. I don’t think they have the goaltending anymore. Holmqvist is okay, but is he the “man” in the playoffs? I have the feeling that Denis isn’t the answer, either. And right now, I think Atlanta’s got more scorers than the Bolts. Truthfully, I’m leery of the Penguins as a 1st round opponent. They’ve got a lot of young talent. Our guys are mostly in their 30’s. I hope some other team takes them out for us. And, I’m a little concerned about Ottawa, too. But I think it’d be great if we did draw the Senators, since Dany Heatley is the pot of hunny that will bring forth all the Atlanta bees. It’s a good storyline, anyway. Ray Emery is having a decent year, but I’m sure he is looking to redeem himself from the memories of last year’s playoffs.
By Christy
March 7, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Tony C. Just to clarify and not that this is a ringing endorsement of the PP since they didn’t score during the 4 minutes, but… the first 5 on 3 was for all of 7 seconds… not exactly a great opportunity to judge a 5 on 3. Hossa’s goal came during the second 5 on 3. Or did I miss something?
By Tom
March 7, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Tony we got a goal on the second 5-3 and the first had a couple opportunities. From our seats on the opposite end of the arena it looked lame, but watching the tivo that night, yes I know I need to get a life, it looked much better.
I think between periods Hartley gave Zhitnick the green light and mandate to shoot from the point instead of trying to feed Kolvy.
By Brian
March 7, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Tom - you are a lucky guy but please don’t ever say those words again. Although on this blog I thought “NO GOAL” would’ve come up first…
By Tom
March 7, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Here is my stat of the day for you all.
The Thrashers best player for shooting percentage is Kozlov at 13.9 percent, followed by Hossa, Melanby, Tchakuk, and Kolvy. All are in the 13 percent range.
Kozlov is ranked 76th out of the NHL scoring leaders.
What does that tell me? That we are not a great sharp shooting team. Fortunately, Hossa and Kolvy get many shots so they are amongst the goal scoring leaders, but it is because of volume not accuracy.
So the addition of a garbage guys like Tchakuk, and Belanger joining Cap Rat to make opposing goalies more honest will have a bigger impact for the Thrashers than many other teams who shoot for accuracy and not volume.
That may be the hidden nugget in the surge after the trade. When we were struggling we got the shots but did not have the legs and skills to get the garbage goals in front of the net.
Just my thoughts for the day.
By Ryan
March 7, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Brendan, if the Thrash face the Bolts in the first round then we better study up on their forecheck. Canucks held Tampa to 8 shots on goal thru 2 periods. They basically kept the puck along the sides of the rink, and ……heres the key, they kept moving, never really allowing Tampa to control the entrance of their zone. And they stayed out of the box for the most part. If the Thrash can do that, then bring on the Bolts. Rooting for Edmonton tonight.
By Ryan
March 7, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Brian, ooouuuuchhh! That hurts man.
By Brian
March 7, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Ryan - sorry man but Tom brought it up. I feel it though, I feel it too.
By michael
March 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
There were 3 5 on 3 pp’s for the thrash last night. The first was for 7 sec. Hossa scored on the 3rd 5 on 3.
By Brendan
March 7, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Ryan, that’s exactly right. Tampa’s forecheck must be defused. They’ve used it very well against the Thrashers. That’s where Hartley is supposed to earn his money. He’s got to devise a strategy to neutralize it. It he does, I think we’ve Tampa beat on depth.
By Brendan
March 7, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Christy, it’s good to see you back and posting. I’ve liked our PP a little more since the acquisitions. But it’s still a work in progress. Hopefully, it’ll get even better in the weeks leading up to the playoffs. If Atlanta’s special teams can be among the best between now and the end of the season, I don’t care where they wind up in the “overall tally.” I just want to enter the playoffs firing on all cylinders.
By ?
March 7, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
The game was another easy victory…now my question is this: Where are the fans? A really sad crowd last night!
By Brian
March 7, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Brendan - they always say you want to be the team hitting it’s peak in April rather than the team that was peaking in November. You’re right, who cares how bad our PP was in the past if we get it going on all cylinders now.