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Thursday, November 1, 2007
Big test for the Thrashers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen that the Thrashers might have caught a break in their timing. Barring a miracle Jason Spezza won’t play tonight against the Thrashers. That’s especially interesting, since Ottawa hasn’t played a game since beating New Jersey on Saturday. So you’d think they’d be well rested and ready to go, but according to the Ottawa Citizen Spezza hurt his groin during Tuesday’s practice and since we’re early in the season, he doesn’t want to rush back into the lineup.
When you’re off to a 9-1 start you can afford to be patient with the injuries. The Thrashers, meanwhile, could use a big win. Based on the skate this morning, it looks like there won’t be any lineup changes. And, really, why would there be? That Montreal game was about as strong a game as this team has played. Johan Hedberg is getting more and more comfortable as the starting goalie and defensively the team has tightened things up. Garnet Exelby said this morning that the defense is slowing down, taking its time with the puck, communicating and it’s paying off. Don’t look now, but Niclas Havelid is a plus-one as is Ken Klee and Tobias Enstrom. That’s pretty strong considering they’re playing on a team that is 4-8.
Ray Emery will make his second start of the season tonight. Martin Gerber is 7-1 with a .940 save percentage, but Emery will be looking to earn his No. 1 job back. It’s certainly not a break for the Thrashers, who have seen their share of strong goaltending this season. On the other side of the ice, Hedberg is 3-2 with a 3.10 GAA in his last five. He hasn’t allowed an even-strength goal in his last two games.
The Thrashers will have to get off to a good start tonight, as they did against Montreal. Ottawa scored first in all nine of their victories. The Thrashers power play will also be facing a big challenge - the Sens have only allowed five power play goals this season (that’s good for 89.1%).
