• BACK IN ACTION: The three veterans who missed either all or most of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh returned to the lineup Wednesday. Niclas Havelid (elbow), Ken Klee (groin) and Todd White (elbow) all played against Carolina. All three of the Thrashers scratches — Steve McCarthy, Eric Boulton and Mark Popovic — were healthy scratches. The game was the first Boulton has missed since being scratched Jan. 10.

• GET 'EM IN PAIRS: When Jim Slater scored Sunday it meant that his past six goals, dating to last season, have come in pairs. He scored his first two goals this season in back-to-back games Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, then scored goals three and four over the weekend.

Any explanation for the double goals, then gaps?

"You want to remember them, you know?" Slater joked.

"I wish I could score a lot more to help this team, but I'll take them — back-to-back, whatever," Slater said. "Once I got that first one, it gave me confidence ... just putting the puck on net and getting it past the goalie."

• OPTIONS FOR ESPOSITO: Since they're set at center for a while, the Pittsburgh Penguins had prospect Angelo Esposito developing at the wing while playing for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL.

Now that he's the property of the Thrashers after coming over in the Marian Hossa trade, he could see more time at center. Thrashers director of player development, Dan Marr, recently met with Remparts coach Patrick Roy to discuss Esposito's future.

"We're going to monitor that," said coach and general manger Don Waddell. "For us we're wide open. Whatever his best position is, we can use him at both positions."