Thrashers defenseman Schubert misses game

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Thrashers defenseman Christoph Schubert missed Monday’s game against Florida with a lower-body injury.

Schubert suffered the injury Saturday against Carolina, coach John Anderson said. Schubert was unable to take part in the team’s morning skate Monday.

With Schubert out, Boris Valabik and Anssi Salmela were the third defensive pairing. It was the first time the two, who have been rotating as a healthy scratch of late, have been paired in a game this season.

Center Todd White was scratched for the third straight game. Defenseman Mark Popovic (foot) was also scratched.

Florida was without captain Stephen Weiss, who is suffering from a lower-body injury. Weiss played just 5:34 on Saturday. Weiss leads the Panthers in goals (19) and is second in points (42).

Hedberg vs. Panthers, Round IV: Johan Hedberg started in goal against the Panthers. He has started all four games against Florida this season. With Monday's loss he fell to 2-2.

Ondrej Pavelec had started the past three games, recording 89 saves with a 2-0-1 record, and will likely start Tuesday’s home game against Toronto.

Pavelec had struggled before this stretch, getting pulled twice in a span of five starts.

“He’s so calm and collected,” Hedberg said. “He never gets too high or too low. When things are going the way you want them to, it’s going to wear on you. He’s played well the last three games. He’s been a big key for us.”

Anderson with the team’s schedule, both goaltenders will see plenty of action.

“We got a lot of games [coming up],” Anderson said. “To play Pavs or Moose every night I don’t think would help our team as much as sharing some of the load.

Etc.

• The Thrashers are 3-2-1 in the past six games since snapping a nine-game losing streak.
• The Thrashers are 29th in the NHL in shots allowed per game (33.8). Keeping the Thrashers out of the cellar are the Panthers, who are 30th (34.6).