AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 14
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Getting Kari-ed Away In Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kari Lehtonen is doing everything he can to help his team win games. Blocking shots, stuffing break-aways, denying shootout attempts…finding open forwards to start fast breaks for important goals.
Whatever it takes, eh?
Fortress Kari stopped 39 of the 41 shots launched on him by the Washington Capitals as he continues this fantastic run of starts. In the past six games played he has allowed only 9 goals on 199 shots in 371:26. The last two of those starts took OT to get the win. Lehtonen, and his .955 SV% over that span, has done just about everything he could do to keep his team in games and allow them time to find a way to win.
But Wednesday he went above and beyond as he not just bought the offense time to get over the hump…he forced the issue. With the score tied at one with just over a minute left in the second, Kari took a shot in from his right then found Marian Hossa up ice and fed a nice pass to him. Washington was caught during a line change and Hossa took it from there as he beat Olie the Goalie to give the home team the lead going into the break.
Not to be overlooked is the fact that the Finnish net minder turned back all of the 18 shots Washington was able to get through to him in the first period alone. Atlanta was only able to get off three of their own on the opening stanza.
I know a lot of people thought I was quite harsh on Kari last week for that one play against Vancouver…but this is the Kari Lehtonen that I knew we could be seeing when properly focused. And at this stage of the game one lapse can cost the team two very important points… thus my state of aggravation.
But, for the record, I will state this once again. As Kari goes, so go the Thrashers from here on out. If the team is to make post-season, it will be on his back. Kari has been leaned on for the better part of 2 weeks now and has for the most part shouldered the weight.
Now if I can only get my two tax exemptions to respond so well to my gentle, loving, fatherly talks.
Three’s Company
With Atlanta picking up 2 huge points and the Caps gaining one, it creates a 3-way tie atop the Southeast Division as the two teams and Carolina have 60 points. Florida, after a 2-1 OT loss vs. Montreal stands only two points behind the leaders.
Good ‘ol Home Cooking
The Atlanta Thrashers came out of the All-Star break two weeks ago with the luxury of playing six of their upcoming seven games at home. Wednesday night’s win completed that stretch of games 5-2-0. Three of those five wins took overtime or a shootout to secure the win. They now play six of their next seven on the road.
Is This Good-Bye?
With the Thrashers playing on the road for the next two weeks, Wednesday night’s game will be the last played in Blueland before the trade deadline. So, if Marian Hossa is to be dealt, then we have seen him in a Thrashers home jersey for the last time. If you believe the most recent rumors, Hossa will soon be sporting the red and blue of Montreal. Of course, he’s been THIS close to going to any number of teams in the past several weeks, so we’ll see. Oh, in case you were wondering…the trade deadline is 3:00 eastern time on Feb. 26. The Thrashers will be playing that night in…Montreal.
I’ve Seen That Movie, Too
Eric Perrin used the exact same move on Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig as he did two Fridays ago to beat Buffalo. If called upon to participate in the skills competition that decides games, does he dare go to the well one more time? Stay tuned.
New Word In This Blog’s Lexicon
I would like to add a new word to be used in here alongside of “un-good”. It was used during Wednesday’s “Yes, you did”, “No, I didn’t”, “Yes, you did”, “No, I didn’t”, hearing on Capital Hill by Roger Clemens.
The word: Mis-remembered.
You know, like, “Oh sorry hon…I mis-remembered it was Valentines Day”.
Well…DON”T! Make sure to remember that beautiful person in your life today.
Happy VD everyone.
