Kubina scratched with upper-body injury

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kubina out: Pavel Kubina was scratched from Thursday’s game against the Capitals with an upper-body injury. Kubina left Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs after playing just 12 minutes. The defenseman took part in the team’s morning skate, but was not deemed healthy enough to play.

“He’s still a little stiff right now,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “We can’t have him playing only half a game. He could start tonight but if he comes out half-way through, that’s not going to help us either. An extra day of rest will help him.”

It’s only the second game Kubina has missed this season. He sat out Nov. 15 against the Oilers with lower-body soreness.

Chris Chelios replaced Kubina in the lineup, making his fifth appearance since joining the Thrashers March 11.

Kane close: Evander Kane will likely return to the lineup Saturday in Pittsburgh, Anderson said. The rookie forward has missed the past 15 games with a fractured left foot.

Encore: Ondrej Pavelec got his second straight start in goal, coming off Tuesday’s win over the Maple Leafs. He stopped 27 of 29 shots in the win.

“The last couple starts have been real quality starts for us,” Anderson said. “I think he’s got his confidence back and we’ll let him run with it as long as he can.”

Oystrick called up: Former Thrasher Nathan Oystrick, who was traded to Anaheim in the deal for Evgeny Artyukhin, was called up by the Ducks Thursday. Oystrick, the defenseman who appeared in 53 games for the Thrashers last season, played at AHL Chicago all season before the trade.

Tough ticket: Headed into Thursday’s game, the Capitals were 27-5-5 at the Verizon Center this season. All 37 games have been sold out. Dating back to last season, they have a club-record 44 straight sellouts.

Chris Vivlamore