AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 18
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Line Changes?…I’m A Fan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don Waddell did a little mix and matching of the forward lines for Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the winning 6-2 performance, I’d say it was a smashing success. I’m sure the fire and chemistry shown from the match-ups were just what he was looking for when he placed Marian Hossa with Eric Perrin and Slava Kozlov as well as moving Mark Recchi up with Todd White and Ilya Kovalchuk.
But it was the third line that was on the ice for the first Thrasher goal of the night as Garnett Exelby scored his second goal of the season with assists from Bobby Holik and Steve McCarthy, (Mac earned 1st star honors and that’s great to see because the kid needed a break). The top line scored next when Atlanta got out their Recchi-gball as the newest Thrasher notched his third goal in 4 games with help from Kovy and, what’s this…Kari Lehtonen? You know things are going well when your net-minder gets onto the scoring sheet.
In fact, the first four goals the Thrashers scored came one from each line as Kozlov shoved in a goal under Lightning net minder Johan Holmqvist to finish out the scoring in the first and then Chris Thorburn notched one in the second. Talk about spreading it out!
The Thrasher scored 6 goals on 24 shots including 3 goals on 9 shots in the first and 2 goals on only 7 shots in the third. That’s making the most of your chances.
Now, as much as I love all the scoring, I would be remiss if I did discuss the performance Kari put in. 32 saves on 34 shots is very good and he looked as though his head was in it all night. Specifically when he was called upon to make a couple of stops in the closing seconds of the second period. Neither was exceptionally difficult, but given the team’s knack of giving up late period goals holding firm at that juncture and not allowing the opposition to gain any momentum entering the next stanza was note worthy, indeed!
The Thrashers were out shot 34 to 24. So, if you were like me and took the “under” from Russ’ over/under of TB +14, then you can send your people on over to his place to collect your winnings. Props to Brian for citing two hours before game time the following, “I think it is going to be at least +10, although I’m gunshy about taking the over”. In keeping with the over/under theme in regards to shots…allow me to take a stab at setting it for Thursdays game against Ottawa. Given the fact that Atlanta is a -7 or so on the season and that the Thrashers have been out shot by 7, 9, and 19 by the Senators in the three previous games, I’m setting the line at OTT +10.5.
Spotted in the stands during the game…Kovy’s mom, Luba. I thought she was gonna jump outa her skin when her boy scored on a breakaway mid way through the third. I don’t care how old your kids are, when they do well there is no other feeling that matches.
Holy Zhitnik Batman! Alexei finished the game a +2 and Steve McCarthy a +3 to go with a pair of assists, as both played much better on the blue line. Also, the Captain was a +1 with a helper. Ken Klee put in a solid game with 20:07 TOI and a +2. That’ll help put a dent in those negatives. The pairing of McCarthy and XLB looked pretty good as well.
Every skater was in the plus category with the exception of Hossa and Tobias Enstrom, (both at break-even).
Speaking of that slacker Enstrom, he only played 20:06 Tuesday night. What makes him think he can take the night off? Don should skate him hard next practice!
Logging the most time on ice for Atlanta last night: Zhitnik with 21:22. Now, while it was only one game, think of how much this team would benefit from #77 tossing in 20 minutes TOI and finishing positive regularly.
Jameson, we’ll meet ya at Blueland to dole out your birthday spankings!
