AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGetting 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.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Alan
February 14, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
Happy VD? But I don’t find venereal diseases all that happy at all!
Kari is simply phenomenal. I hope he can shut down the Devils in a major way on Friday.
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
I was quoted in the paper today. I’m somebody now.
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 5:51 AM | Link to this
ranallo10 - After meeting the boss last night, I wondered if she will be sitting in seat 9 or 11 when the two of you return from your time across the pond.
By off the post
February 14, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Didn’t get to go to the game but I heard there were some excellent highlights from those that saw it. Why wasn’t it on? I heard that the save of the game wasn’t made by Kari but by Todd White. Coach Boudreau better not mis-remember that save. You are still right Rawhide that it was an excellent game by Kari from what I heard and an even better job of scouting and drafting him by Waddell.
By PJ
February 14, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Rstroz Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame! Nice seeing you and Mrs. S last night but dude,….leave the bullhorn at home, sheesh!
By Hooky-Bob
February 14, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Rawhide Agreed: I have come full circle,..after last night’s game I am convinced this team is going only as far as Kari can take it. Earlier, it was Ilya that was carrying the team,…but he hasn’t look the same since the knee injury.
That is unless the 1st period last night was a purposeful “rope-a-dope” to wear the Capitals down. It was simply awful.
As tight as the Southeast is,..the last 2 weeks of the season could be nailbiters.
The two losses since the Allstar game were each by a single goal. That is really close. Hope it isn’t the difference betwixt making, or missing, the play-offs.
Mis-remembered? Great addition to the lexicon…right up there with “mis-underestimated.”
By B. Thenet
February 14, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Since the game was not on TV I decided to see Hossa’s last home game as a Thrasher in person.
What a show Kari put on. He made some unreal saves, did a good job protecting his crease, and what a smart(lucky?) pass he made to Hossa for the 2nd goal.
Funny that Hossa’s last goal in Philips is from a Lehtonen pass.
Steven McCarthy is playing great right now. It wasn’t pretty, but a very exciting game.
By Bob
February 14, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Great game by Lehtonen, he was focused and fresh after a few days break. The key now will be if he can keep up this play on this road trip, I think there’s some breaks in the schedule so hopefully he can stay fresh, as I assume Waddell will ride him and not work Moose in. Kari has broken down in the past after these kinds of 5 game great runs, let’s see if he can finally turn the corner and consistently bring this play.
Did they give Hoss the 2nd star and Kari the first? I think I heard that Perrin was 3rd star as they signed off the Caps telecast. Did Hoss come out and wave goodbye as they announced his star of the game?
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?
The Caps color man called that move before Perrin made it as he said he’d seen Perrin make that move against Buffalo, word is going to get around quick, so he’s going to have to change it up.
By FormerIslesFan
February 14, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Wow, what a show that was last night by Kari. Neither of the goals against him could be considered “soft” goals by any stretch of the imagination and he is playing like the true #1 goalie that was envisioned when he was drafted #2 overall. Now, as for him being a RFA at the end of the season, all of you saw the contract that Lundqvist just signed… It may be time to start talking about that b/c if he continues this play, Kari could easily be a targetted RFA but someone like the Oilers.
As for the rest of the Thrashers, one thing was very noticeable last night (at least to me). They were on their heels until Perrin’s first goal was waived off. Once that happened, it was almost as though they decided to take the game into their own hands (why they had not done that previously is beyond me) and start playing a physical game. Mad props to Big Mac, Larson and Exelby as they were the ones that appeared to be leading the charge. Hossa had another strong game and his muscle-ing the Cap off the puck that lead to Perrin’s second goal (you know, the one that counted) was the key to that play.
By kracker
February 14, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Stroz if they hadn’t of raised the price, you wouldn’t be famous today. You’re actually a very well spokem guy…well maybe the newspaper fixed it up ;)
My preferred method for the ASG to increase operating revenue is via a nice playoff run for the Thrash (and the Hawks.) Give us, say, six sellouts at playoff prices for the tix, add in all the associated concession, parking, team gear and Philips revenue and we have a nice pot of extra money for the owners even after the NHL takes their cut.
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Hooky Bob - Funny that you made the “rope a dope” comment, I made the same comment to the fans sitting next to me. The first period was Ungood.
The second Ungood occured during the last four minutes of the third period. The team stopped forechecking and went into a prevent defense. Obviously, the prevent defense was not successful.
The final Ungood appears to be Kovy’s knee. Kovy isn’t skating as quickly as he did prior to the injury.
The Good, well really Great, was Kari in goal. The guy was just plain sick.
The second Good was the play of the second line. Perrin and Hossa are really staring to click.
The third Good was the Thrashers playing physical hockey despite being the smaller team.
By Stats
February 14, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
If ATL is going to move Hossa, we better make sure we can replace the offense and not focus too much on defense. Sounds crazy…. but - Hossa is in the top 10 in the league in shots at 218. Kovy has 212. It drops off dramatically to Koz at 112, Dupuis at 104 and everyone else is < 100. Kovy is the only player who even registers in the top 50 for shot %. Which means we don’t exactly have a bunch of snipers either. I cannot find another playoff team that is so imbalanced. Even WASH has 5 guys over 100 shots. (AO has 318 – which is unbelievable).
By timmythebrave
February 14, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, I was one of the ones that criticized you for taking KL to the “woodshed”. Thinking…why chew someone out that is playing really good……So he can play great I guess. Kari..Kari…Kari..
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - With two weeks of away games, what about another ajc Thrasher blogger game party?
By Pucksdeep
February 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Wow, was Kari stunning last night or what? I don’t believe I saw where anyone else mentioned it so here goes. 41 SHOTS!! The defense was actually okay last night (I thought), but even I know that FORTY ONE SHOTS is just un-good. That little stat further demonstrates just how “on it” our favorite Finn was last night.
The game was great though, and Kari most definitely deserved the 1st Star for his “Standing on Head Trick”. I think perhaps he was on a short trip to la-la land though when he dumped the “fast break” pass to Hossa up across center ice for the goal. He even said in his 1st Star interview that that one sort of “got away from me” (or something to that effect) and smiled the Kari smile. Seriously, if that was a miscue, he shoud make “mistakes” like that more often, b/c it yielded a very valuable result and had everyone completely pumped up. Man, it was AWESOME!
And I agree R. Stroz, it was nice to see a more physical game. It seemed almost dicey at first too, like it could potentially be a penalty-laden game. Thank goodness it wasn’t since it seems we are better at passing on the PP than we are at shooting.
I truly hope that we didn’t witness Hossa’s last assist, last goal, last star, last game, in Blueland last night. I don’t know how you replace someone like him and immediatley establish the right chemistry at a time when everything already needs to be clicking on all cylinders. I don’t know, but I’m still hoping there’s a chance we keep the Slovak Stud.
One other quick comment: How do you leave Ovechkin completely unmanned on the blueline with what, 2 minutes left in the game? He’s Alexander Ovechkin and ignorning him can be very detrimental to your cause. It worked out for us, but still, sheesh! Anyone else surprised that he wasn’t in the shootout?
Okay, I’m done. Nice post Rawhide.
Let’s go Thrashers!!!
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
kracker - Thanks for the props.
PJ - Could you really hear me and the tax exemption on the bullhorn three sections over? Also, could tell whether the guys in front of you were scouting the game?
By PJ
February 14, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Rstroz You have to ask?
As for the guys in front of me, I recognize them from the all star muckity-mucks but I’m lousy with putting names to faces ….. unless your initials are RN.
By Brendan
February 14, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Last night, NHL “On the Fly” analyst Dave Reid suggested that Kari Lehtonen may soon be receiving what he called a “lucrative” new contract with the Thrashers.
I don’t know about that. “A” contract might be more realistic. But there’s no doubt, Kari is presently elevating his value from a very low point earlier in the season. If Waddell lets Lehtonen hit the RFA market, in hopes of an offer sheet, the compensation will probably only be a 1st and 3rd or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick for him. Would it be worth losing Lehtonen for that? After ALL THIS TIME INVESTED in his DEVELOPMENT?
Waddell might do well to negotiate his contract NOW. But, by “policy,” he doesn’t do that, except when the player’s name is Marian Hossa.
By TableHockey
February 14, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
PJ - good to run into you last night at the game. I had fun showing my wife where I absconded my largest All-Star souvenir.
By TableHockey
February 14, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
PJ - good to run into you last night at the game. I had fun showing my wife where I absconded my largest All-Star souvenir.
By kracker
February 14, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
YO Spirit Guys! If you’re going to charge us more money, jump out big right now: Give DW the authority to make two big trades for a good Center and D-man for the next few years and maybe Hossa will agree to sign here.
Ya got to spend money to make money.
By J(Z)
February 14, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Yeah when I saw R Stroz with the bullhorn I knew it was gonna be trouble for anyone near him! :)
After that first period where we were outshot 18-3, things got better. We outshot them something like 15-6 in the 2nd period, and closed the gap to about 4 until the last few minutes of the 3rd period and overtime. We seemed focus on playing “prevent defense” towards the end of the 3rd. When I saw Ovechkin alone on the blueline, even without the puck, I let out an “uhoh!” And 5 seconds later he tied the game.
Very interesting to see Perrin & Kozzy take the first 2 shootout attempts. Loved the redo of Perrin’s move. Hopefully he’ll mix it up next time to become even more dangerous. I assume Hossa was going to be the 3rd shooter. Which speaks volumes as to what Waddell thinks about Kovy’s knee. Ungood!
FYI, for whoever asked, Hossa did come out and wave to the crowd when he was announced as the 2nd star.
By PJ
February 14, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Table Hockey It was nice running into you too and welcome to the blog. I showed my son the very same spot and he was equally unenthused. Oh well. I thought the “Kari, Kari” chant was pretty awesome coming from our section, glad he got the standing ovation when he got the first star. Do you think you saw the last of Hossa in Thrasher blue?
By Alan
February 14, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
I assume Hossa was going to be the 3rd shooter.
Nope. I forget who was supposed to be third, but I remember watching the game and seeing the shootout lineup come on the screen, and thinking “wow, a shootout where Hossa isn’t in the top three.”
By J(Z)
February 14, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
hmmmm, I wonder if the 3rd shooter was gonna be Kovy then?
Atlanta All-Star Ilya Kovalchuk has two goals and no assists in his last nine games.
By NASCAR Dave
February 14, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
RAWHIDE IT’S KINDA CHILLY OUTSIDE TODAY, SO I PUT MY HOSSA JERSEY ON THE DOG BEFORE I LOCKED HIM OUTSIDE FOR THE DAY.
LAST NIGHT AT THE GAME SOME PEEPS SITTIN NEAR ME WERE TALKING ABOUT A HOSSA TO MTL FOR KOMISAREK AND RYDER DEAL. I THINK I WOULD DO IT, AND GIVE THEM HOLIK FOR HIGGINS TOO!
SORRY ABOUT THE ALL CAPS, TOO. MY KEYBOARD IS BUSTED :(
By kracker
February 14, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Then why aren’t you NASCARDAVE?
By kracker
February 14, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
J(Z) Atlanta All-Star Ilya Kovalchuk has two goals and no assists in his last nine games.
And only one of those goals since getting cheap-shotted by Ruutu on Jan. 30. Ilya scored in his next game in the 2nd period against the Flyers on Feb. 5.
By NASCAR Dave
February 14, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
THE WEBSITE REMEMBERS ME KRACKER! IT’S SOOO SMART! LOL. MAYBE TONIGHT I’LL USE THAT WAL-MART GIFT CARD THE GIRLFRIEND GOT ME FOR V-DAY AND GET A NEW KEYBOARD!!!
GO THRASHERS!
By Roswell Thrasherfan
February 14, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
on the screen for the game which was the caps telecast they had ovechkin for the caps to shoot third and kovy to shoot third for us
By TableHockey
February 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
PJ - Concerning Hossa - I’m in the camp that believes Don will keep him through the end of our season. I don’t think his heart is here so I would rather trade him and get some players/prospects/picks in return.
But I think Don will go the job-security path and keep him until the end and tell the ATL spirit “I kept him for a playoff run and he won’t resign”. But then again he is known as “Trader Don” so I could certainly be wrong.
If it is his last home game I’m glad I got to see it.
Far be it for me to complain about free tickets but I wasn’t a fan of sitting under the overhang.
By kracker
February 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Haha, OK Dave.
GO THRASHERS!
(Many years ago for many seasons the Braves had bumper stickers reading GO BRAVES! In the mid-80s some wisea$$ had bumper stickers made reading GO BRAVES! and in smaller text And take the Falcons with you)
By Rawhide
February 14, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
TableHockey - Welcome to the blog-o-sphere!!! Nice to have you along. If you ran into PJ, then you met one of the better people I know. She is 100% “good people”!!
RStroz - Your the “big star” now…YOU plan the next Thrashers outing!!! LOL!!!
Timmy - Yup!
By R. Stroz
February 14, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
PJ & J(Z) - Bullhorns are really great to have at a game.
I sing songs of admiration to the officials, such as “I’m blind, I’m deaf, I wanna be a ref.”
Or I refer to the officials by their maiden name, “Lewinsky stop blowing the game.”
Or I can address player concerns, such as, “Hit him again X and this time take a few of his teeth out.”
Actually the funniest one last night occured after the official had signaled a penalty against the Caps and Kari didn’t realize it, I screamed, “Kari get to the bench,” and he actually started to high tail it toward the bench. I really don’t know if Kari heard me; but, it seemed like he might have.
Anyway, bullhorns are the most useful at Sabre/Thrasher games. The Buffalo fans really enjoy when I scream “Go Home Buffalo,” especially after the Sabres lose.
By Maal
February 14, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
I love when you blow sunshine up my tender’s butt ;-) Heh heh heh. I also love when I can just sit back and watch Kari play his game the way only he can, and shut up all those naysayers. Not that you were one. But this is MY Kari. King of the goalies. Yeah, he lets in an occasional slip, he shoulda had Alex’s goal, but what can you do. He stopped Boyd point blank a couple times, and that was a hell of a pass he made to Hoss. Assist #2 this season! I can’t wait til he gets a shot on an empty net.
By PJ
February 14, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Table Hockey Yea, I hear ya about the seats. If you’re not in the first few rows in that area, your looking up a regular TV for replays, it sux. Next time this happens and it’s not that crowded, move down. Everyone does. As for Hossa, my gut says he’s gone. It would be nice to get something tangible in return while we still can.
Rawhide ahh shucks man, you are too kind.
By Jim
February 14, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Kari is trying his best to carry the team on his shoulders. Too bad, we don’t have others horses that can pull some weight. How in the world can we be so badly outplayed in the first period of a key game at home? And where in the world was Klee in the last minute with Oveckin streating down the left side? We ain’t gonna win the SE Division.
By ranallo10
February 14, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Stroz — “The Boss” will be in whatever seat I decide to buy her!!! As for her seat…I fist pump with my right hand, and make the friendly hand gestures to Philadelphia fans with that same hand, so I guess “The Boss” will have to sit in seat 11 (on my left side).
By Jim_Bob
February 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Howdy there Rawhide and Jethro!! How you fellers doin today? My darn head hurts! I gots myself so twisted willie last night at that there Philips Arena. Didn’t see you fellers there, though.
Us fellers drove the truck and parked on that there Spring Street. We had no darn tickets to speak of. So, we was gonna try that trick them fellers were talkin about the other day on the internets.
But then this feller came walkin up and sold me a $38 ticket for $5 and half a pack of cigarettes. And then that feller sold my buddies 3 more of the same tickets for $15 each. See, I gots myself a good laugh outta that one, cuz them were the same fellers that ripped me off when I passed out in the truck before that Canucklehead game!
Us fellers got real cozy with that Mr. Jack Daniel’s bartender woman up there by that door where them smokers chill. She seemed to like us South Georgia fellers a whole lot! We had ourseleves a blast! Oh and that there game was pretty darn good too.
But I gotta ask, who the hell are them defensive fellers that let that there feller score a dang goal when the game was almost over? Worst time too, cuz that woman had already made last call. Man, that made Jim Bob mad! Them fellers suck!
Thanks for listening to Jim Bob’s Trip to the Thrashers game. See you fellers next time.
By Brendan
February 14, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Carolina and Tampa Bay both won in regulation time. Atlanta is no longer tied for 1st place in the SE Division.
By The Other Jim_Bob
February 14, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Turn out the lights,
The parties over,
All good Hossers must leave in the end,
Thank you for the good times,
Best of luck our Slovakian friend.
By five_hole
February 15, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
I bet Carolina wishes it had held onto Corey Stillman, right about now. This is a really tough blow for Carolina; Brind’ Amour is their Captain and a heart & soul kind of guy. IMO, this effectively takes them out of the race.
I still believe that if the Thrash stay “even” (or better) with Wash, Fla (and yes, Car) we have to hold onto Mr. Hossa. Waddell won’t risk his job for long term benefits for the Thrashers. He would rather take the short term reward of keeping us in the playoff hunt. If we go on a losing streak, he gets traded for whatever the market will bear. No wait, scratch that. That would assume too much IQ on Waddell’s behalf. He would get traded for some expensive, aging almost-was.
By TableHockey
February 15, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - Thanks for the warm welcome. I worked my All-Star volunteer shift with PJ - she is good people.
I saw where Rod Brind’Amour is out for the season. Bad news for the Canes but probably good for our playoff chances.