AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 13
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Don’t Change A Thing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four days off between Thrashers games in the middle of November has left me Jonesin’ for hockey! Normally, a four-day break can be a good thing for a team…rest some players, heal some aches and pains…however, with the Thrashers riding a four game win streak, I would have loved to have seen them just keep rockin’ and rollin’ this week.
I don’t know about you, but tomorrow night can’t get here quick enough.
The days off were not at all kind, however, to one Mr. Kari Lehtonen who re-injured his back on Tuesday. Ondrej Pavelec had no sooner unpacked his bags in Chicago before being summonsed back to Atlanta in case Kari is unable to play.
Well, at least Opie is racking up some serious frequent flyer points.
So, the “who’s you goalie” question for Friday night seems to be simple enough…start Johan Hedberg again against the Carolina Hurricanes. Personally, even if Lehtonen were to be a “GO” tomorrow night, I would still put Moose ‘tween the pipes. He played well enough against them Sunday…so why change what seems to be working, eh?
To that point, I would also take that same approach regarding the forward lines and defensive pairings. Obviously, the O-fense is on a great run these past four games…scoring goals at a 4.75 clip during the streak… so no changes should be forthcoming there. And even though the defense is still giving up way too many shots and the opposition has netted an average of 3 goals per game during these past four wins, I would still roll out the same players paired up the same way as was done this past weekend.
I just don’t like messing with things when they are netting positive results.
Now, that would mean that Oystrick would play instead of Schneider if he’s healthy enough to go…but that’s fine with me. Again, ride the wave and stick with the lineup that produced the winning streak. Plus it gives the veteran defender a few more days to make sure that hip-flexor thingy is totally healed.
As for Pavs…I’d give him the start in Philly. If Moose rolls a shutout Friday or puts up a 37 saves on 38 shots kinda performance…then maybe stick with him. Even if Kari says he is good to go Sunday, start the young-un or Moose. Same logic applies…stick with what has been working, give Lehts a few more days to make 100% sure…no, 110% sure…that the back is good to go.
Regardless…as long as the Ws keep coming…don’t change a thing.
