AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGuess Florida wasn’t a gimme
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first person to say, “Hey, at least we got a point” will get banned from the message board for the rest of their days.
This team is taking all the fun and excitement out of this race and turning it into an excruciating experience. When it was 2-1 for, like, forever, we were dominating play, and I kept saying to myself, “They need this game to not be a one-goal game.” The Panthers looked horrible, the game was constantly in their end, and yet you knew that if the Thrashers didn’t tack on that third goal it was going to get tied up.
And it did. And then we didn’t win in OT. And then we didn’t win the shootout. One point is better than nothing, there’s no denying that from a mathematical standpoint. But the utter lack of production from this team is scary.
Ready for me to blow your minds?
It is mathematically possible for the Thrashers to still win the division and claim the No. 3 seed and home ice in the first round … and finish with the NINTH best record in the East. It would be the biggest travesty in the history of sports, one of the biggest fiascos. It’s not likely, but it’s possible that a team with more points would miss the playoffs.
Here’s how:
The Thrashers have 89 points right now. Let’s say they lose the rest of their games EXCEPT for the last one against Tampa Bay. That gives them 91 points.,
Now, let’s say Carolina (84 points) beats the Thrashers, splits a pair with Tampa Bay and loses the rest. And let’s say Tampa (86 points) wins only the one against Carolina. That gives both of them 88 points. Thrashers win the division and clinch the third seed.
NOW … in the meantime, let’s say the Rangers (87 points) beat the Flyers, Habs and Penguins: They would finish with 93 points. They’re in.
And let’s say the Leafs (84 points) win four of these games: Atlanta, Penguins, Rangers, Flyers and Montreal. And let’s say the Habs (86 points) beat Ottawa, Buffalo and Boston. And let’s say the Islanders (84 points) beat Buffalo, Ottawa, Toronto and Philadelphia.
That’s 92 points for each those three teams.
That gives the East something like this:
Buffalo 105-plus New Jersey 98-plus ATLANTA 91 Ottawa 98-plus Pittsburgh 98-plus Rangers 93 Montreal 92 Toronto 92 --------------- Islanders 92 Hurricanes 88 Lightning 88
Listen, I’m not saying it’s gonna happen. In fact, the odds are incredibly low. But don’t you think it’s amazing that it COULD?!!!! As if hockey needs the sports world mocking it any further.
So listen up, Thrashers, for the sake of your sport: Put some damn points on the board and take care of business.
The phones lines are open and hot, young girls are waiting to talk to you ….
Comments
By Brendan
March 29, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
The best thing to do is just put this game behind us. With a win over Toronto, we’re 1-0-1 for 3-points.
By russian
March 29, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
It is Great Math calculation. You got A+. :-) One thing, Thrasher have to get 91 points and Carolina and Tampa must loose. It is not Happening. Tampa will win SE it is for sure. Carolina and Thrasher will be BLOW and out of Play Offs
By stendec
March 29, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
Somebody PLEASE wake Sori Letemin and the Thrasher “big guns” (scorers) up! Hey, this is a struggle for playoff breath. The goalie was in La-La Land on that first goal. Tell him he can daydream all he wants AFTER the season. Talk about another SOFTEE! The starting netminder was AWOL on that goal then seemed disinterested in the shootout. Hard to tell WHICH team was battling for a division title! No fire. No intensity. No goaltending. No scoring. Perhaps no playoffs! Truly sad! I expected much more from the Thrashers.
By Nicholas Irwin
March 29, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
Blah blah blah…you might have noticed nobody else is playing worth a damn either. This is how playoff hockey is played. I find it humorous that a couple weeks ago, we score only two goals (one in OT) at home against the Rangers and it’s a great testament to our ability to play playoff hockey and we score two in regulation on the road against the Panthers and our offense is on the verge of flat-lining.
And I don’t know what your problem with Lehtonen is, stendec. If you allow less than three goals, I tend to think it was a pretty good goaltending performance. Would you care to cite for me a goalie who never lets in a soft goal? I was watching highlights of the Devils-Sabres game and Martin Brodeur allowed a rebound in front of the net off of a blue-line shot and was scored upon on the rebound. I also remember him giving up a goal in the Stanley Cup Finals several years ago where he fell down, dropped his stick, and the puck ricocheted off his stick and into the net. It may have been the most incompetent and boneheaded goal I have ever seen given up by a hockey goaltender. So I guess we can all agree that Brodeur is completely worthless…after all, he lets in the occasional (GASP) soft goal. Seriously, what does that even mean, anyway. Seems like every goal that does not either come off a shot that would kill a goaltender were he to get hit by it or does not come off of a spectacular move by the shooter is labeled a “soft goal.” You do know shots can just be well-placed, right?
Personally, I think you were so proud of yourself for coming up with that retarded nickname that you decided you must bash Lehtonen after every game so that we all might bow at the alter of your cleverness for coming up with a nickname that sounds like a player’s real name yet denigrates him. Wow, you’re such a genius, nobody’s ever thought of doing that before!
By Scott
March 29, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this
Lehtonen has to wake up. He’s let in some easy goals the last two games.
By stendec
March 29, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this
All goalies do allow soft goals from time to time. The Devils have a playoff spot sewn up! Do the Thrashers? Money netminders perform their best when the pressure is on. The Thrasher goaltender has not demonstrated that capacity in the last two (must-win) showdowns. With a whiff in a 2-1 regulation defeat then three porous (one regulation-two shootout)efforts in a second CONSECUTIVE loss. I WANT the Thrashers to do well. I just do not see the maturity in KL. Just being honest.
By jc
March 29, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
It does not matter about the east, Detroit is the best team in the NHL and will win the Cup. Go Red Wings.
By UpperDeck4Life
March 29, 2007 7:46 AM | Link to this
Lehtonen has been letting in TOO MANY softies lately. His focus and playing have to be called out. I think Moose getting the Leafs tonight is a good call. Kari just isn’t playing like a playoff goaltender right now. If he doesn’t step up his game, this team goes no where in the playoffs.
By GA.man
March 29, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
hey atleast we got one point
By luckydog
March 29, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this
Leht-em-in still has time to change his nickname to Leht-none-in, but he better start coming up bigger when it counts. I can forgive the one softie early on, and no, he didn’t get much offensive support. But getting schooled 2-0 in the shootout against a no-name goalie was BEYOND AWFUL.
And carrying over a point from another thread, is it just me or have T’chuk and Zhitnik sort of disappeared last 3-4 games after their fast starts? Bellanger, on the other hand, has seemed to be involved in everything ever since day 1.
By Sebastian
March 29, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
I broke my Comcast controller, scared my wife with my loud, foul mouthed cries of anguish, and generally felt as bad as a fan can feel. Come on guys, you’re KILLIN’ me here.
By bloviate
March 29, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
Our problems haven’t really changed all year. 1. Our defense allows too many shots and too much possession in our zone. 2. We aren’t quick enough to make a defense pay for pressuring the puck, especially on power plays. That said, a run of great goaltending and some big-time veteran play from Tkachuk and Holik around the net could be all we need to go deep in the cup race. Go Blue!
By Russ
March 29, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
Despite their recent play, the Thrashers are still in great shape to make the playoffs and most likely as division champs. However, one thing that is troubling to me is the seeming lack of killer instinct with this team. They can’t ever seem to get that insurance goal when they are holding a one goal lead, then inevitably they give up the tying goal and hang on for dear life to just get the game to overtime. On a larger scale they have lacked killer instinct to put the division away. They have gotten a lot of help with teams beating Tampa in the last week, but basically all they have done with that help is expand the lead from two points to three. All that being said I am still confident they will win the division…but the one thing I want to see in these last five games is at least one game where they just go out and kick the sh!t out of somebody. If they can do that I will feel a lot better about their chances come playoff time…and I’m not talking about a 3-2 win where “the game wasn’t as close as the score indicates”…I want a dominating 3+ goal win. Wouldn’t it be sweet if they could put the hammer down tonight on the Leafs with a 6-1 type of win and really damage their playoff chances. Let’s go Thrashers!!!
By luckydog
March 29, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
Boy do I agree with that, Russ. Somewhere in this final run they need to make a statement with a laugher — in our favor! The least stressful Thrashers game I’ve watched all year was the San Jose game, and that was because I was in awe at how easy they made it look to play dominating hockey.
By Russ
March 29, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
Also, I think I saw someone else comment on the clock on the Thrashers broadcast being out of sync with the game clock…what the hell is up with that…I think that happened another time not too long ago. One other thing I’ve been meaning to comment on regarding the broadcast (and this isn’t just the Thrashers, I’ve seen other stations do this) is showing the goalie skate to the bench when his team pulls him for an extra skater. Do we really need to see this rather than the actual game action that is going on at the other end of the ice??? I’m pretty sure if the announcers would just tell us the goalie has been pulled most viewers would take their word for it in exchance for not missing a possible goal or great save at the other end…just my two cents.
One more thing, I am guessing tonight will be the Moose’s last start of the year unless the division is wrapped up before the end of the regular season. I’m not saying whether it should be or not, I’m just saying that is what I think Hartley will do with his goalies the rest of the way…do you agree?
By One
March 29, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
“Hey, at least we got a point”
I couldn’t resist………hehehehe!
By Bryan
March 29, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Any one know what our magic point total is now to clinch the division? It was at 21 a week or two ago.
By Chica
March 29, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why we cannot work the zone better; been going on all season. The only time we played zone well last nite was the last minute or so of OT.
By five_hole
March 29, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
That scenerio about finishing in 3rd with the 9th best point total was scary, but not as scary as being in 3rd and having given up more goals than we’ve scored. Of the top 6 teams in the east, we’re the only ones in that category. In the west you have to go down to #10 (St. Louis) to find a team that has given up more goals than scored this year.
Why is this? We’ve had a lot of close games we’ve won (including shootouts), we’ve been blown out of several games (can you say San Jose?) but haven’t really blown anyone else away.
Unless something changes, we’re not going to go very far in the playoffs.
By where's Steve MC?
March 29, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Lehtonen let in 2 softies last night. Unacceptable. DeVries needs to sit so McCarthy can some ice time. Maybe that will ignite a spark in the boys. Moose starting is a good idea. If he wins tonight, I think Hartley should stick with him for a few more games. Lehtonen seems to step it up after he sits the bench for a bit. It will give him a wake up call. Also, glad to see Slater’s ice time diminished. The key to a win tonight is to come out in the 1st with guns ablazing. Put up 3 in the first and things will probably work out. MOOSE! GO BLUE!
By LAC
March 29, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
The NHL should FIRE this pig mike murphy the, can you believe, VP of replay ??????
Who does he hire to watch goals DRUNKS off some toronto back street ?
This CLOWN has to be under strict orders of Gary Brettman to make DAMN sure we do not get into the playoffs ?
Slava kicked it, it HIT his stick and WAS A GOAL. Was called so on the ice, we should have won 3-2 or 4-2…with eng at the end.
But… I storngly believe the nhl does not want us to win,The canada goofs can do nothing but critize Atlanta, never Tampa or Carolina or Nashville… Thank GOD… I do not live in canada a chicken country with lousey Hockey fans.
As noted above the Exelby call was a JOKE, another example of the nhl trying to stop us.
Now… What has happened to Hossa ?
He has been a non-issue the past two weeks now. Is he hurt ?
Win tonight TB loss friday,win saturday and TB lose sat night WE WIN.
Get the message GUYS WIN NOW.
By Mark
March 29, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Last night reminded my of when the Braves are hot and face a young pitcher for the first time and only put up 1 unearned run on the board.
WHY WASN’T HARTLEY RIPPING OUT HAIR ON THE BENCH? Its the playoffs, get excited…The only guy who acted like he came to play was Holik…Hossa scared the crap out of me taking that header into the boards…That zig-zag passing before the goal was fantastic, too bad we don’t see many 4-3 situations.
Well Boys, keep throwing the puck at the net, some have to go in…..
GO THRASHERS
By CM
March 29, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
I’d say we still need those passing drills that someone was complaining about the other day.
And why must we make so many passes anyway, is there some unwritten rule that says “In order to score a goal, the Puck must be shot from within the slot and can only be completed once a pass has been received from the wing”?
What happened to the desire they were playing with just 2 weeks ago and the fire that came with KT and AZ? I’m sure they must, I mean you would think so, but you have to wonder if they do know what they’re even playing for and does it even matter to them? It’s tough to see right now, wouldn’t you think?
I remember the clock thing happening recently as well. Can’t even get that right…err..
I guess you said it best Brendan, the best thing to do is just put that game behind us.
By MzScarlet
March 29, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Ice Man, I don’t need the hot, young girls to talk to, but now, if you offer up hard-bodied musclemen, you would certainly pique my interest. Basically, all your figuring about how a team with less points can still make the playoffs while teams with more points miss out boils down to the fact that the first spots for the playoffs go to the division leaders. As long as the Thrashers can hang on to the division lead… we’re in, no matter how many points the other teams accumulate! So, come on, Thrashers… dig your fingernails in and don’t give up that division lead!
By yellowjax
March 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Kari faced 35 shots last night. Yeah so the softie hurt early but he made some fantastic saves. We are still giving up too many quality shots but Kari has played well. No one is giving the proper credit the the Florida goalie Anderson. Called up from the minors and played out of his head and made some crazy saves. If that had been Ed Belfour in the net people would have been saying he was the difference in the game. Give credit where credit is due. And did you see him give his stick to the kid in the crowd after coming out for his 3 Star selection? We had our chances and overall played a good, solid game. At the risk of facing the wrath of the Ice Man I must say “At least we got a point”. That one point may make the difference going into that last game with Tampa. Remember, they hold the tie breaker and I don’t want to go into that game with only a 2 point lead for the division title. Although I am excited that looks like we will make the playoffs for the first time, I really, REALLY, REALLY want to see a Division Championship Banner hanging from the ceiling. Anything to balance out the lame attempt from the Hawks to look like they accomplished something. I mean really, Ted Turner’s name on a huge banner in the rafters?
By John
March 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
So I know that we’ve all been watching this team for years. And having watched this team for years, especially THIS year, raise your hands if you said something like this:
“The Thrashers always make rookie goalies look like Patrick Roy” before the game started…
and:
“This is the part of the game when they blow the lead” after Exelby was called for that Holding penalty in the third…
I can’t see, but I’m sure there are alot of hands in the air right now. Those were my exact words in each case. And when Stumpel scored the tying goal on that 3rd period PP, I let out this mad-scientist type of laugh that made me fear for my mental health.
Isn’t it amazing that after all these years, through all the Gord Murphys, Petr Buzeks, Johan Garpenlovs, Heatleys, Kovalchuks and Keith Tkachuks, this team STILL plays the same way every night? Isn’t doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result the definition of insanity?
Are we all insane for expecting different results from this team? Is Hartly insane for keeping the same lines together night after night when those lines, and some of the personnel on those lines are not getting the job done? What has happened to all of our “veteran leadership”? You know, all those guys who are supposed to know what it takes to get to the playoffs and win once in?
The icing on my depression-cake was when the announcers reminded me (I was watching the Florida feed on Center Ice) that the Thrashers are still on the hook for Holiks $4 + mil contract through NEXT season! Considering what we get from him for that price, how sad is that?
Well, I’ll stop now because I’m rambling on with no apparent direction, which is strangly appropriate considering the Thrashers are playing the same way these days…
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
BRIAN It is 8 right now.
The most TB can get if it won out is 96. So any points gained by Thrashers / lost by TB equalling 8, we win division.
I THINK that number is 6 to make the playoffs….I’ll confirm later.
Now,….I for one do NOT subscribe to the doom and gloomers around here. Did I LIKE only getting one point last night? NO. But it is indeed a point. It is one point MORE then TB got in their 77th game. Ditto Carolina.
I will even go as far to say I don’t LIKE the OT points rule, but,….hey,…it’s the rules we are playing by.
But this team’s goal is,…had has been all year,…to make the playoffs. Winning the division doing so is just that much better. They are on the verge of doing just that….
Win tonight,…we are 5 up on TB with 4 to go for us, 5 them. 7 up on Carolina….which would all but wipe them out for the SE.
It’s seems too many people think the Thrashers have to play perfect hockey every night. That ain’t gonna happen.
Last night Anderson played the game of his life….amoung others, the save on the Hossa shot with seconds left was amazing and the save from Dupruis from Hossa in OT was outstanding. Sometimes it is what it is.
It ain’t like we are getting SHELLED like TB and carolina are lately.
All that being said,……this is gonna be a ROUGH game vs. a Toronto team having to win every night to try and scratch their way in. I believe the Thrashers will rise for that and play up to that intensity level.
They’d better.
GO THRASHERS - TRAMPLE TORONTO!!
By T-Bone
March 29, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
You guys complain and complain about Kari’s softties, and yes the first goal was bad, but jeez! We’re playing the back-up goalie for the Panthers, not a Cup contendor BTW, who has like 16 minutes all season. This game should have been over in the 1st period but we come out with little intensity AGAIN and let them score first get some momentum and presto we have a game on our hands. We had several juicy rebounds early on that no one seemed to be in place for. As Darren Elliot mentioned, they looked ready to fold in the 2nd but the Thrashers just don’t have the killer instinct. That 5 on 3 was truly pathetic, once again.
That beeping sound you hear is not the garbage truck but the Thrashers backing into a playoff spot and if they keep backing up they just might back off the cliff.
By yellowjax
March 29, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
I would feel better though if Kari’s parents could come back for the playoffs. Anyone want to start a pool to fund the trip?
By playoffsorbust
March 29, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Hate to be the one to tell ya, but Kozy admitted that he kicked the puck in after the game. He said he was trying to kick it to his stick but missed and being the true athlete his is, owned up to it. I was furious watching it just like you, but it was a good call for once.
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
YellowJax - Count me in for the Kari-folks pool….things haven’t been the same since they left.
JOHN - I was just telling my wife last night when I heard Anderson was starting that it spooked me. The Thrashers are with opposing rookie goalies what the Braves are with opposing rookie pitchers. For some odd reason, both seem to dominate our home teams.
LAC - I agree about your assessment with the Kozlov “no-goal”…..it LOOKED to me like it hit the stick,…and worst there was no CONCLUSIVE evidence to overturn it.
I wanna say the obvious about tonight’s game: that it is HUGE! But they are all getting Huger-er and HUGER-ER every night!
By playoffsorbust
March 29, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Hate to be the one to tell ya, but Kozy admitted that he kicked the puck in after the game. He said he was trying to kick it to his stick but missed and being the true athlete his is, owned up to it. I was furious watching it just like you, but it was a good call for once.
By John
March 29, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Oh, the Florida feed had a terrific interview with CRAIG CUSTANCE during the second intermission. Craig, if you happen to read this, great job last night! I liked the fact you didn’t really toe any company lines. Good job.
By Bob
March 29, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is, BOO!
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
OK,…at the risk of upsetting the Hockey Gods by forcasting into the near future,…here is another interesting scenario:
The Thrasher could clinch a playoff birth AND the division by the time we end this weekend.
How?
If we win tonight vs. Toronto and Saturday vs. Boston, we have 93 points.
TB losses vs. Carolina Friday and Washington Saturday night leaves them at 86 points with only 3 games to go.
We win the SE division!
Or:
Same wins for Thrashers plus:
Montreal losses to Ottawa Friday and Buffalo Saturday - 86 pnts w/ 3 to play…Toronto losses to us and Pittsburg Saturday - 84 pnts. w/ 4 to play… NYI losses to Buffalo Friday and Ottawa Saturday - 84 pnts w/ 4 to play… Carolina loss to Florida Sunday 86 points 3 to play.
(all assume regulation losses).
Yes, that’s a tall order to run the table,…but we are at a point where we can project 2 games out to clinch.
But it would all begin tonight!
GO THRASHERS - GET OUT THE LEAF MULCHER!!*
By Mick
March 29, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Goaltending and special teams wins in the playoffs. Our goaltending has been ok but the soft goals have to be eliminated. All year long our power play has been suspect….what were we last night 1 for 10 ? This game should not have been close! We’re too busy looking for the picture perfect PP goals….Shoot the puck on net and get rebounds. Power play goals put games away, maybe Hartley needs to shake up the PP personel….
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Minor adjustment to the above forcast:
To win the SE this weekend, we need the wins and TB losses PLUS the Carolina loss to Florida Sunday.
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — have you by any chance noticed how the Thrashers have been losing ever since you made the blog entry about your “lucky” uniform? Perhaps the Hockey Gods are smiting the Thrashers due to your false proclamation??
Just food for thought.
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
ranallo,….had lunch with the Hockey Gods last weekend.
They gave the jersey their blessing.
By ThrashDaddy
March 29, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Somebody earlier made the point about doing the same thing every time but expecting different results…well said. Examples:
Probably hundreds of times this season — we flip the puck backhand blindly from behind the net hoping it gets out — and surprise, there’s an opponent standing there pinched against the half-boards who picks it up and creates a scoring chance — they’ve figured that one out boys.
Power play — pass at least eight times around the perimeter then one from the half-boards skates in and throws on net (if we get that far) with no traffic in front — why do we think all teams now send out pressure on our points and at least half the time clear the puck. A group of youth hockey players could defend our PP right now — it’s painful to watch.
Kovalchuk — love the guy and he has really stepped up his intensity lately — but when he gets the puck in the offensive zone why must he continually skate and skate and skate, then stop and skate backwards, then look some more? He constantly takes the puck to the MOST DIFFICULT SCORING ANGLE — then looks up to the heavens as to why it didn’t go in.
Tkachuk — even he’s infected now — when he came over all we heard was about his presence in front of the net and several goals he scored came by simply being a presence there and picking up rebounds — in the last 3 games (all losses) how many times have we seen him camped out creating a screen and picking up rebounds? I’ll bet you can count them on one hand
Three things the Thrashers have to do tonight and the rest of the way and things will be fine:
I believe and am living and dying 3 periods a night — UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — Did they explain the wrath they hath sought upon BlueLand?
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
RANALLO - The only thing I got from them about that is that they were testing the Blueland residents to see if they were ready for what awaits them in the playoffs.
The path is rough and perilous and I don’t know if they think we are ready for it. They will be watching closely tonight.
They are really finiky about these matters,….I dunno, I think maybe TOO finiky…but the buffet was nice.
TIME TO UNLEASH THE FURY!!
By five_hole
March 29, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
I agree with most of what Thrashdaddy said, except for:
Get Tkachuk, Bellanger and Mellanby in front and get the puck on net
Bellanger is too small to stand in front of the net and take the pounding from D-men. His game is based on speed.
By stor stark
March 29, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Can’t BELIEVE I’m the first to say this, but Thrashers “turtled” last night. I don’t expect the same tonight, however, since even when we lose to Toronto, we at least play with some grit.
I will hereby commit to $100.00 for Kari’s parents to fly back. I know people that work for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) in Stockholm that might hook us up with a discount too since it reeks of good promo. Hell, Delta is the Thrasher sponsor, where are they in this? If they don’t take this opportunity their marketers should get canned. It’s a million times better than that damned radio commercial “Russia, Czech Republic, Ukraine …Michigan” Do we even have any players from Czech Republic!? We don’t. Holik doesn’t count.
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — are the Hockey Gods Canadian? I have this bad feeling…
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
STOR STARK - I’m with ya on that regarding Delta.
Think of the free pub if they pulled that type of stunt,…flying mom and pop in for Kari!!!!
That plus the commercials they could do!
Anyway,….what is our record since they left??
2-4-1???
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
RANALLO Yes, they are Canadian. That is why I went bearing gifts of back-bacon and Molson Dry.
At least they are not French-Canadian.
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — Good thoughts, did you happen to remind them the head coach is Canadian, and the best player on the team is Canadian (I’m speaking of Vigier, of course)??
By Rawhide
March 29, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
No, I din’t Ranallo,…I didn’t want to insult their intelligence by reminding them of the obvious, (BH) and then being sarcastic, (JPVJ)…..
They did speak of certain sacrifices, however..
By stor stark
March 29, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
I just left a voicemail with a woman from marketing at Delta with the idea. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of telling her I thought the current radio plugs were “stale” before launching the idea and it’s been my experience that you shouldn’t criticize someone before you ask them to do something. Oh well…
By sammy
March 29, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Thrashers played well after the soft goal, but they need production from the stars. Where were Hossa and Kovy?
By Jason
March 29, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
I’m honestly tired of the gloom and doom on here. We were beaten in a shootout by a Florida team that spanked Tampa Bay the night before. If not for a really lucky deflection on Florida’s PP goal (goes off a stick right to a Panther streaking up the middle), we easily could have won that game in regulation. I hope all the people whining about us getting beaten by Anderson were ashamed when MICHAEL FRIGGIN’ GARNETT had back to back shutouts last year. He was nothing more than a minor league goalie after all.
Three points up with five to go. Considering the schedule is set up so that Carolina and TB could end up cannibalizing themselves before it’s all said and done, I see no reason why we can’t be five up going into the game with Washington next Wednesday.
By Matt H
March 29, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Y’all, two things happened last night:
The Panthers earned those two points. The Thrashers were lucky to limp away with one.
Next!
By UpperDeck4Life
March 29, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
luckydog, I have to agree with you, Tkachuk and Zhitnik have both disappeared offensively lately. Both are doing what they need to defensively, but then getting nothing on the offensive end.
As far as the XLB call, I honestly think it was a bit of a make up call. When Kovy went down after getting that high stick and earning us a 5 on 3, the way he went down (as Eliot and JP pointed out) concerned the refs and they thought he was really hurt. Then what does he do, turn out his bottom lip trying to draw the 4 minute minor. I think the refs were really ticked off, because they called a penalty that Kovy embellished on they may or may not have warrented them to do what they did. I think the XLB call was just as questionable and was a result of a make up for that play.
By be-a-tiger
March 29, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Lentonin’s problem is he makes silly mistakes when the opposing goalie is not. Maybe youth, I don’t know, but non one’s perfect but man some games these other goalies look so against the thrashers. Our for-checking is sub-par compared to opponents. ex. watching power play opp. in the pitts game; I can remember two where we couldnt even get into their zone until 1:30 has passed, thats ridiculous. I’m a thrashers fan, but they are like a finesse version of a hockey team. Some of our defenders are too too soft.
By Tom
March 29, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
be a tiger
That is the weakness of our team. We can not pay for Defense and the guys we have up front so it looks like the powers that be went for a stronger frontline and a weaker D. At the same time, the inconsistency of the play back there has been very frustrating for us. Havelid has been all over the place, DeVries the same. I do not even want to discuss Sutton and at the same time McCarthy must have slept with Hartley’s wife not to get back on the rink.
Zhitnik has been a godsend and Exelby plays his role very well.
But we are not going to have the guys in their post game interview say the defense won us the game anytime soon. They will be talking about how Kari or the guys up front carried the day.
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
Do you all realize Lehtonen has the fourth most saves in the NHL this season? That’s behind only Kiprusoff, Luongo, and Brodeur.
“Soft” goals? Get over it, he’s faced almost 2000 shots and has a .911 GAA (Goals Against Average for any non-stat junkies) on the season. He’s a solid goalie, and by far the superior goalie to any comparably aged and experienced netminder in the NHL. Atlanta has one of the most porous defenses in the NHL, ranked nineteenth for goals against (231), and eighteenth for goals against average (3).
Kari Lehtonen (notice the correct spelling) is a solid NHL goaltender, and as several people have stated, EVERY goaltender gives up weak goals.
If you score more than an average 2.92 goals per game, you will pull off wins in those close games. The offense and defense is the problem, not the goaltending.
By Tony C.
March 29, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
ranallo is right. The Kid is pretty damn good. I mean just you tube him…He’s one of the few goalies I can think of off the top of my head that can consistently make a strong opposite-side push when he is down in the ‘fly…now he does have a bit of a hole hi stick-side, but he’s worked on that, and it is not the obvious hole it once was. Like ranallo* pointed out, name me another 23-year old Guardien you’d rather have? Nittymaaki uhhh not unless you play Lehtonen 40+ times a year…Budaj? I don’t think he’s 23…but maybe, he’s played pretty solidly this year.
Just think about this: Le Thrash average 30 SHG a game!!! Brodeur might be able to better than The Kid with that sort of workload, but only he could. I mean he is The Best Ever (Yes I know he hasn’t broken all of St. Patrick’s records-but he ain’t done yet).
When the opposing coach of SJ was asked what he thought about the Thrashers his response was something like: “They’re very talented up front and get great goaltending, I noticed they give up an awful lot of shots-that’s something we can exploit.”
Notice he didn’t mention a marginal goalie (which people who played Philly, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, St. Louis & Columbus did all year)
By Brian
March 29, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Ice Man - this wasn’t worth the time to figure out. If we only win once the rest of the season there will be too many other things to worry about… That and the fact that this many games have to go exactly as you described just isn’t likely.
By Fred
March 29, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
After the Pittsburgh game, something snapped at me. When that BS goal went in, I was like “they should make Lehenton walk back to Atlanta”.
Then it dawned on me. Why do I (we) take this so seriously when the players don’t? They move from city to city and have allegience to whoever is paying them at the time. We stick (or is it get stuck?) with OUR team. The same team. We move, we keep allegeince to the same team.
I now refuse to get uptight about this or any sport any longer. Fans should only be condemmed to care as much as the players themselves.
By Ice Man
March 29, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Some responses to the above:
Brian writes: That and the fact that this many games have to go exactly as you described just isn?t likely.
Um, Dude, once again, you’re quoting exactly what I said. From MY Blog: “Listen, I?m not saying it?s gonna happen. In fact, the odds are incredibly low.”
And, Dude, don’t tell me how to spend my time. Maybe you have a rich, full life, but some of us have nothing better to do than compile hypothetical hockey stats.
I’m kidding with you, guy. Of course all those things AREN’T going to happen, but they COULD. And I’m pretty sure it would be unprecedented, so I just thought I would point it out.
Nick Irwin writes: I find it humorous that a couple weeks ago, we score only two goals (one in OT) at home against the Rangers and it?s a great testament to our ability to play playoff hockey and we score two in regulation on the road against the Panthers and our offense is on the verge of flat-lining.”
Did you really compare an overtime win against the Rangers (playoff team) and a shootout loss to Florida (dogfood team)? I’m not sure what team you’ve been watching the past few games, but this offense IS flat-lining. It can be fixed, of course. Hell, they could score eight tonight against the Leafs. But don’t just bury your head in the sand and say the offense is fine. Because it’s not. Or at least it hasn’t been. And there’s nothing wrong with pointing that out.
Stendec, Get over it. Kari’s a good young goalie and your criticisms after every game lose their impact after a while. Not sure what your agenda is for hating Lehtonen so fiercely, but you might want to look into rooting for another team, because Kari’s going to be here awhile.
Rawhide writes: “It?s seems too many people think the Thrashers have to play perfect hockey every night.”
Dude, I’d settle for adequate hockey at this point.
Stor Stark … Not sure your Delta promotion will fly (so to speak). Kari is on a big AirTran billboard in downtown Atlanta. If anybody should fly his parents here, it should be AirTran … but, of course, that would entail sending their luggage to Memphis and canceling their return flight for no apparent reason.
MzScarlet writes: “Ice Man, I don?t need the hot, young girls to talk to, but now, if you offer up hard-bodied musclemen, you would certainly pique my interest.”
At your service, MzScarlet, as long as we can do it in the conservatory with the candlestick. (Please don’t be 12 … please don’t be 12.)
As for the rest of you, grab yourself a Wetzel’s Pretzel and a pint of ale … Game On. Big ‘un tonight.
By Brian
March 29, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Ice Man - you got me, it’s just that every sport rewards the division winner and someone makes this argument once every 3-4 years. Everything is cyclical anyways so you can’t claim any one division/conference benefits when it all flip-flops in 3 years.
As for Florida being a dogfood team, they got a point in 14 out of their last 18 games with a record of 11-4-3 druing that span…
By Hockey Puck
March 29, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Thrashers were both boring and bad last night. Anybody have any no-dose? Oh yeah, and stupid for taking a worthless penalty with 9 minutes to go.
Hey, we actually executed a drawn-up play on a power play. That’s a first!
Open BLOG to Bob Hartley, fire up these guys or get fired!