AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOne win away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By the end of the night, we could be in the playoffs.
However, I kinda hope that doesn’t happen. As excruciating as this little stretch run has been, you’d think I’d want to get in any which way … and, in a sense, I do. Yet, I love on-ice clinchings … on home ice, no less. And what would be better than to beat the Capitals on Wednesday to seal the deal?
That said, Toronto plays three games between now and then, and the Islanders play twice before then. One loss for each and we’re in. And I’ll take it with no complaints.
This game was worth of a clincher, anyway. Beautiful goaltending, nice chemistry on the lines, beautiful passing and a clutch goal from our rent-a-stud.
For me, there were three plays worth noting. The first, obviously, was Tkachuk’s game-winner. Big boy got himself in the right place at the right time and made no mistakes. The second was Dupuis’ pass to de Vries for the second goal. An absolute beaut, perfectly played … visions of the Dupuis we all liked during Minnesota’s big playoff run a few years ago.
The third play that stuck out for me was Jim Slater absolutely pummeling Jeff Hoggan, whom I’m pretty sure didn’t come back into the game. Slater has had one of the more disappointing seasons on the team, and to see him stick his nose in it to try to contribute in that way just speaks volumes. A guy’s season could turn on a play like that, and this would be the ideal time for it to happen to Slater.
Hossa could have easily made this a four- or five-goal game, but he got absolutely robbed on a couple prime scoring chances. It would be nice to see him get hot again about now.
And what can you say about Lehtonen today? (If you’re sendec, you can say Lehtonen is a rogue and a scoundral.) But if you’re anybody else, you can say he played a big-time game today. Very impressive, especially with the leg pads, kicking away shot after shot.
Anyway, I gotta run. Big night here at the AJC, something about a couple of high school basketball games downtown tonight. I’m not sure, but apparently it’s a big deal and we’ll be busy all night. But I’ll check in on your responses every so often.
Comments
By russian
March 31, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
I will say, WE ARE very Close, to fill Play Offs Rush! Big win was today. Savard was idiot to said NO for Atlanta. He will be playing for Play Offs. Boston Head Coach is Sucks. He blew Detroit and noe he did samething for Boston. I do not care about them anymore. Thrasher have to be in Play Offs. I want it so badly.
By Barry
March 31, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Yes that was a nice play by DeVries and Dupuis to first converge on the Boston player and force that turn over and even better play by both to each rush down, get ahead of Boston’s dmen and score that second goal. I was however very disappointed with the PP. If our PP was even halfway clicking this wouldn’t have been such a close game. Also just aggrivates me to see the Thrash sit on leads. Boston was all over us pretty much the whole 3rd period and oh man XLB…you should know better than to sit still with the puck behind your own net. Slap it up the boards but don’t stand there like a deer in headlights trying to figure out what to do. Good thing for Tkachuk and doing what he does in crashing the net and knocking in garbage goals. Well a goal is a goal really right? :)
By David
March 31, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Jeff Hoggan did come back in the game.
By BG33Brown
March 31, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this
Huge win. And it looks like we are going to make it!!!
However, we need to be realistic. This team (as of right now) doesn’t have what it takes to win in the playoffs. There are 2 things that I count that we must do to win a round (which aparently we have to do b/c hockey is dying here in the ATL-who knew)-and I will list in what I feel is the order of importance.
Keep playing our game when we have the lead. This team clearly lacks confidence in their ability to play a responsible two-way game. It is embarassing to watch us try and hold on to a lead. Play the game the way you play from behind and when its tied. The Thrash just sits back and lets them gain the zone and then never transitions, they just chip it out with no purpose. Honestly, when we were up 2-1 in the third with less than 10 minutes, did anyone on this blog think that it wasn’t going to be tied up?
Shoot the puck on the power play. I know we have been harping on this and up until the last 2 games I felt they were doing an “okay” job still. But I am converted. Everyone is afraid to shoot the puck so Zhitnik has to end up taking every shot. Why not shoot it at the far post from the half boards and give the far man a chance to put it in the net.
If we can do these two things better-I believe we are as good as anyone in the eastern conference.
What do you feel we must improved to win a round?
Finally, I thought Sutton played another good game. He made a huge hit on someone in the slot while we were trying to “will the seconds down” in the 3rd period. And just to echo what has already been said. XLBs turnover was probably the worst turnover I have ever seen. EVER!
GO THRASH
By michael
March 31, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
I agree that the pp needs to be better. pp’s are crucial in the playoffs and have to be goals.
By five_hole
March 31, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Great win; one step closer to playoffs.
What concerns me is that for the first 30 minutes, this game was completely one sided. It was 2-0, but the score could have been much more lopsided; only an outstanding performance by their goalie (McDonald?) kept it close. Then we collapsed.
What I’m not seeing from this team is a killer instinct. Don’t allow the other team hope. As Arnold said in Conan the Barbarian, “What is best in life is to crush your enemies under your heels and hear the lamentations of their women”. I’m not an Arnold fan, but it is a great sentiment where hockey is concerned.
By kracker
March 31, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
Big win. Not a great win but a big one. PP needs to click but the other team’s guys have something to say on that & McDonald was big for the Bs.
X got off the hook for sure. Although it was his shot that Kovy deflected for the 1st goal.
Leafs up 3-1 in the 2nd, Isles down 0-1 in the 2nd.
By five_hole
March 31, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Yes, X made a completely boneheaded play and it cost us a goal. He’s also been arguably our best d-man the whole year. I’m willing to forgive him the one mistake. DON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!
By harleyman
March 31, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
Great win for the Thrash. What is it with these backup goalies the Thrashers face? They all seem to be the second coming of Patrick Roy when we play them. Kinda reminds me of the Braves anytime they face a pitcher they haven’t seen before just brought up from the minors. They all seem to look like Sandy Koufax against the Braves.
By David
March 31, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
Great game Thrashers…they are college games being played tonight..i’d rather be watching girls high school basketball..worst final 4 since the shot clock.
By LAC
March 31, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
Boy Keith was GREAT and SHOULD BE RESIGNED…
Great game, Great Game !!!!!!
One question… Why is don cherry DRUNK on the air on CBC HNIC ?
He cannot speak clearly and has to be drunk every night he is on… Why do those Canada fans tolorate his BS ?
TB up by 3 over Wash. Carolina there tuesday… could be ONE point lead wednesday night, so hope Carolina can do something tuesday night and we winn wednesday and CLINCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Thrashy Thrashy
March 31, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
I agree with BG33, this team can’t hold a lead to save its life. Tkachuk got the big goal, but the Thrashers play soft. They’ll fall asleep for a period and a half and let the opposition dominate play. It’s garbage. I don’t know why this team does it, but they’ve been doing it all year. Toughen up, guys. You should already be in the playoffs right now, but if you don’t tighten it up, you’ll get there and get blown right out of the first round.
By Mats Sundin
March 31, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Uh, so, guys …I didn’t mean to say the Southeast division was soft.
What I meant to say was my stupid d#ck was a gettin’ soft…..and pointing in the same direction the Leafs are going.
By Rawhide
March 31, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Um,…well said, Mats.
I could not have said it better myself!
By Brendan
March 31, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
That’s 5/6 points in the past three (3) games. Let’s hope Atlanta makes it 7/8 vs. Washington.
Loved the Slater-Hogan fight. I hope it spurs him on. This is his “contract year.” I feel that Atlanta is relying too heavily on the HBK line to get it done. We could use some scoring from the 3rd and 4th lines, too.
By stendec
March 31, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Credit where credit is due. Kari L was spectacular between the pipes! He could have sued for defensive non-support on one goal. The other goal was a tipped shot on a power play. No softees in THIS effort! Well done. Power play stinks to high heaven! Do the Thrashers ever PRACTICE the power play? Sure does not look like it. Some humble advice. Shoot the puck, shoot the puck, SHOOT THE PUCK! Remember, 100 percent of shots not taken do not go in. Pretty passes which do not result in goals are exercises in futility! All in all, nice performance. Not comforting to know Thrasher “A” team is barely better than Boston Bruin reserves. Oh well, two points are two points. Run the table guys!
By Midfield
March 31, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
If it’s ever a good time to screw up like X did, that was the time. However, on the play like this his partner should have called him out - loud, very, very loud. It was pretty obvious that X did not realize how close his forechecker was to him. I kind of agree with Lehtonen: this sort of tight run could not hurt before the playoffs - especially for the playoff rookies.
By Barry
April 1, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Ya I don’t understand why the Thrashers play the way they do once they get a lead. It’s befuddling. I know they know you can’t do it. I know Hartley has preached you can’t do it. Yet they do it anyway. Why?? If this team wants to go anywhere in the playoffs they have to play a full 60 minutes of hockey. The first half of the game today was pretty much dominated by the Thrashers. Boston takes 4 penalties in the first period. If our PP wasn’t still so lost with no real game plan, this game wouldn’t have been close. I have to agree when the Thrashers were up 2-1 and seeing how they were relaxing back letting Boston come to them I just had a gut feeling Boston was going to tie it up and before ya knew it…bam…tie game.
By rockdr99
April 1, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
Nothing is clinched until we win the division — If we don’t win the division, we will be one and done in the playoffs —
Win the division and we have a banner in the rafters — We will have home ice and momentum going into the playoffs — We will play for a while in the playoffs before an energized fan base and Waddell did NOT overspend for the trades —-
GO THRASHERS, RUN THE TABLE
By Nicholas Irwin
April 1, 2007 3:23 AM | Link to this
Canadians continue to tolerate Don Cherry precisely because he’s a drunk loudmouth. He says what they’re all thinking. Don’t think for a second that there isn’t a large portion of the Canadian hockey base who holds the exact same mindset. Canadians are generally thought of as a fairly benevolent people, but I find that with every country, no matter the reputation of its citizens, there is one sport that, generally speaking, turns the populace into a bunch of disorderly conduct citations waiting to happen. For America, that sport is football. For most (if not all) of Europe, that sport is soccer. And for Canada, that sport is hockey. And I find that oftentimes in these situations, people don’t want to hear well-reasoned commentary. They want to see a complete nut bar losing his freaking mind, kind of like themselves.
By NCThrash
April 1, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
Can’t get Thrasher hockey up here in Carolina, only hurricane’s. Need playoff hockey to start so I can watch MY TEAM!
GO THRASHERS!!!!! Make us proud.
By LAC
April 1, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
Boy the leafs are THE luckiest team in the NHL… not good or even average…LUCKY.
Then there is THE DRUNK don cherry on CBC HNIC.
You people should see and hear this IDIOT !!!!
He cannot speak clear, makes NO sense and I do not believe he can pronounce a complete sentence. He has to be DRUNK and bables on about stuff that makes NO sense.
Last night… He had a stuffed shark with him playing with it and talking to it… I have seen whino’s passed out DRUNK that sound better than his, or is he DEAD and they revive him on saturday nights for Hockey ?
Canand should be damn ashamed to have to put a DRUNK SLOB like STUPID dumb, I mean don cherry up there. He makes the NHL look awful and he should be BANNED from the HNIC and go back to the DRUNK home for IDIOTS !!!!
Also they NEVER have anything good to say about ATLANTA, which really show NO class whatsoever. They showed that weak first loaf goal from thursday night as it was a Stanley Cup Winner or something…. Why don’t the NHL teams in Canada form The Canada Hockey League, They would have six teams and never have to worry about coming to the US ever again.
Lastly the DRUNK CHERRY was bashing OUR Country as well last night… Well Cherry like Muts Sundin, come on down and we will stuff a CHICKEN BONE DOWN YOUR DRUNK THROAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Hotrod
April 1, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this
My hat goes off to Don Waddell. These new guys are great! All of them.
By Phil May
April 1, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
HUGE WIN!! Kari was great, but he still gives too many rebound opportunities. This team has so much potential… if they get on a roll they could give alot of teams trouble in the playoffs.
Is it just me, or do they at times just look so slow against certain teams(Tampa, San Jose, Pittsburgh)!?
Anyway, Wednesday night will be a big night in Philips! I’ll be there and will be extremely loud!! It will be significant to clinch against a division opponent. Get ready for full-bore, intense, playoff hockey folks!!!!
By Dave
April 1, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Someone tell me about Slaters fight, i heard it on the radio, they made it sound like he put the boy down. True or Not??
By luckydog
April 1, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
FWIW, Sutton finished last season with several strong games as well, if I recall right (as did Slater). I don’t think Sutts will be here next year, but nice to see him contributing to this run.
By Toronto Tom
April 1, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
No ifs; and, or buts: the Thrashers are in the Coupe de Stanley playoffs. Congrats, and it’s about time! That siad, they’re also out in the first round. Even though the Eastern Conference is far inferior to its Western brethern, the simple fact of the matter is Atlanta has the benefit of playing in the worst division in the Conference.
By lovinggood
April 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
No ifs, or buts, the “worst division in the conference” has the past 2 Stanley Cup titles! Try again, TT.
By Tony C.
April 1, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I think that the guys consistently play to the level of their competition…excepting a handful of games ( a certain teal-colored express train comes to mind), Le Thrash play up to the good teams-they’ve got winning record against all playoff teams except Pittsburgh if I’m not mistaken-but the they also “take a game off” when playing 2nd-tier teams…except Washington, because as hiBob says :”looks like a rivalry” (this is the only instance of the unbalanced schedule acheiving it’s aim in my opinion)…
Someone else had words to the effect that if the guys play their game, they can play with any team in the league I believe that is true. I’d like to see Coach be able to convey that message to the guys…I’m a biased fan, but I believe that they can make some serious noise in the 2nd season-especially if The Kid continues to play at a high level.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
P.S. Dave, Slater’s fight started off sowly, lots of wrestling to get arms free and elbow guards off-Slater taking the worst of it (first 30 seconds-one min), but once he got his hand free, there were two vicious uppercuts and one good cross from Mr. Slater-he’s no heavweight, but kid can handle himself just fine, thanks. Hoggan (the other guy) went to the dressing room for the rest of the period, and didn’t seem to be much of a factor once he did return in the 3rd. Here’s some video
By Brian
April 1, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
LAC - I would back off of Cherry. First of all, it’s their channel and the country loves him, they can do what ever they want up there. He was rated one of the 100 most influential Canadians ever.
Secondly, the highest rated segment ever of Coach’s Corner was when Cherry went off on every Canadian protester to the war in Iraq. He started a melee with Ron Maclean over it, staunchly defended the United States, and it became so controversial that it was the only episode that is not archived on their website. His key quote to the whole thing was something along the lines of “if Russia points 10,000 nuclear missiles at us, who do you think we’re gonna turn to? We must support them!”
Does he love Canada? Yes. But there is nothing wrong with national pride, especially when he is keeping it up there. He’s not bringing it here. Turn the channel if you hate it that much, he has plenty of other fans that he doesn’t need you.
By Andy
April 1, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
2:10 from the playoffs. I’ve always hated the Rangers, but they did it for us tonight. Next, carolina needs to beat Tampa on Tuesday, we take care of business on Wednesday and it’s 1st place!
By chainshaw
April 1, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Bring on the playoffs! Toronto goes down in flames. How fitting.
By Hanson Brothers
April 1, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
WE’RE IN!!!!! Oh, happy day!! For all of us that have been there since day 1, it’s awesome baby! Playoff hockey is coming to Atlanta. I feel like the Cleveland fans in “Major League” when the Indians won the world series. Now lets go in on a roll and sweep the final three games.
GO THRASHERS!
By Brendan
April 2, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
Hanson Brothers, It’s a clean sheet of ice now, isn’t it? (Yes, it is.) There is no prior history of this franchise in the playoffs. Chapter One begins this year.
There are so many teams with so much history. The St. Louis Blues have made it in almost every year, but have never won it all. Vancouver, long history, two Finals, no Cups. The Washington Capitals … one appearance (1998) in the Finals since ‘74. The Florida Panthers came in to the league in ‘93, and by ‘96, were in the Finals. Tampa Bay came in ‘91, and won it all in 2004. From 1983 to 1996, the Calgary Flames finished in the top four teams in the Western Conference 10 of 14 times. Awesome consistency, but only one (1) Cup to show for it. Three Finals appearances, though, in the team history (‘86, ‘89, ‘04). The Hartford Whalers (now Carolina Hurricanes) were one of the most underachieving teams in the league, along with the Winnipeg Jets (currently the Phoenix Coyotes). They won a Cup before Toronto or Buffalo have.
The point? Things can turn around. And quickly. Some teams seem mired in mediocrity. Others rise to the occasion. In only Tampa’s 3rd ever playoff appearance, they won it all.
No team has ever won the Cup in their playoff debut since the Cup became property of the NHL. I won’t swear to what happened prior to that. Or from 1893 to 1910, when it was largely an amateur Challenge Cup.
Until last season, no 8th seeded team in the current playoff format had ever reached the Finals. Edmonton changed that. Wouldn’t it be astonishing if the Thrashers, in just their 7th season, in their playoff debut, won the whole thing? Yes, yes. Putting the cart before the horse, I do realize. But this is why they play the games. It’s about matchups. And being healthy. And playing consistently. History has taught us that the best regular season records don’t necessarily correspond to postseason success.
In 1996, the Detroit Red Wings lost only 13 times all year, in regulation. They won 62 games!! They lost nine (9) playoff games, and were eliminated by the eventual Champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in the Conference Finals.
Only six (6) of the previous 20 Presidents Trophy winners actually went on to capture the Cup. That means, seventy-percent (70%) of the time, in the past 20 years, some team other than a President’s Trophy winner took home the top prize. Atlanta will not be a President’s Trophy winner this year. Atlanta will, instead, fall within the 70% of non-President’s Trophy winners, if they win the Cup.
I don’t know if that helps any. Or even at all. It’s just an interesting stat. Mea culpa for mentioning it.
By Ryan
April 2, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Think the Thrash will start resting guys, or will they go after the division title and gain big momentum? I’d like to see the division title, us fans have waited a long time for this, a title would be well worth the wait. Go Thrash!
By Ryan
April 2, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Brendan, nice historical data. Thrash are staying healthy at a good time.
By Ryan
April 2, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
WOW! NJ fires Claude Julien, crazy.
By Brendan
April 2, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
What? Are you serious, Ryan? April Fool’s Day was yesterday. Are you seriously saying the Devils fired their head coach, as they currently lead the Atlantic Division, with only three (3) games left to play?
That’s insane, if true.
By Ryan
April 2, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Brendan, it’s all over NHL.com, ESPN, and TSN. It’s crazy, they have won 4 of the last 5 and are sitting comfortably in 2nd for the conference(1st in the division). Lou Lamoriello is taking the spot behind the bench. I’m not sure for the reasoning but it’s nuts!
By Brendan
April 2, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
I just read the same thing on Yahoo.com/sports. Wild is all I can say. This is the 3rd time he’s done something like this. He must see something that’s wrong. I guess they didn’t whoop up enough on the Bruins in the 3-1 victory? He wants 9-2, or something?
Well … I’ll say this for Lou. His decisions usually work out. But this is a bizarre move. I think the Devils’ players know full-well that Lou’s the “King” of the New Jersey Devils. It’s HIS WAY or not-at-all. So, let’s see what he does with this opportunity. Guys like Scott Gomez are particularly on the hot seat, as his contract is up this Summer. (I think. Someone double-check that.) So, uhh, I think some guys are playing for the Summer contracts right now.
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
I plum forgot and shaved this morning. But when are we, officially, starting to grow the playoff beards? When we clinch the division, when the season ends, or right now?
By Buzilla Baby Blues
April 3, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
I am shaving on Sunday night. End of the Season, right before the playoffs. Anyone know what day the first game will be?
By thrashersfan
April 3, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Only know the playoffs begin on Wed but the Thrashers may or may not be playing the first day. Could be Fri.
By thrashersfan
April 3, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Only know the playoffs begin on Wed but the Thrashers may or may not be playing the first day. Could be Fri.
By russ
April 3, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Start growing it Sunday night. DW said the playoffs would start here next Wednesday or Thursday.
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Okay, Saturday April 7th, will be my last shave until the Thrashers either win the Cup, or get eliminated.
So let it be written. So let it be done.