Thrashers just a point out of playoffs

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Thrashers are almost out of the hole they dug for themselves.

Almost.

They won their third consecutive game Saturday, 5-2 over Philadelphia, and are now one point out of a playoff spot. The Thrashers (31-29-11, 73 points) trail idle Boston in the Eastern Conference race.

The winning streak, which comes after a six-game losing streak (0-5-1), has been against three likely playoff-bound opponents. Just one week ago, the Thrashers had slipped to 13th in the conference.

“We know our position. We know the time of the year," Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong said. "We know what’s at stake for us every game. We are just trying to worry about ourselves and win games.

Armstrong scored twice, once in the first and third periods, to lead the Thrashers. Nik Antropov scored his fifth goal in the past four games. His second-period goal was the game-winner, as it gave the Thrashers a 3-1 lead. He converted a pass from Niclas Bergfors from behind the net for his 22nd goal of the season.

“There were some rebounds there, and they just happen to go right on my stick," Armstrong said.

Bryan Little knocked in a rebound of a Clarke MacArthur breakaway shot at the 9:43 mark of the third period to give the Thrashers another two-goal cushion after the Flyers had closed to within one. Armstrong's 15th goal, and fourth in the past two games, closed it out.

Johan Hedberg was in goal for all three of the Thrashers' wins. He stopped 25 shots.

“I think that was one of our most solid team efforts all year," Hedberg said. "They waited for us to make mistakes, and we didn’t make any tonight.”

The physical game featured two fights in the first four minutes.

“The guys came out tonight with a purpose, and we got the job done,” said Eric Boulton, whose first-period fight followed one by Jim Slater.

The Thrashers took the lead with a pair of first-period goals, the third consecutive game they opened with a 2-0 advantage.

Bergfors got it started with a goal 1:48 into the game. After getting passes from Maxim Afinogenov and Antropov, he then banged his own rebound past Brian Boucher. It was Bergfors’ 20th goal of the season. He now has 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 16 games as a Thrasher. Afinogenov and Antropov also extended their point streaks to four games.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team," Antropov said. "That’s always been my priority. ... It’s good to be back in the mix again. We lost six in a row, but we still believed in ourselves.”

In the past four games, the top line has 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists).

Armstrong scored his first goal at the 5:42 mark. Ron Hainsey fired a shot on net, and with Johnny Oduya jumping over it in front of Boucher, Armstrong was on the doorstep to knock in the rebound.

Dan Carcillo scored at the 8:16 mark of the first period to cut the lead to 2-1. Blair Betts scored at 14:34 of the second period to make the score 3-2. Betts’ goal was the third -- and last -- shot in the period by the Flyers.

“They like to be physical, and they like to fight," Slater said. "If you can stand up to them and beat them at their own game it’s a bigger plus. You never want to be bullied around. We stuck right with them and finished our hits.”