Bruised Kozlov will play vs. Devils, extend streak

Thrashers forward Slava Kozlov intends to extend his games-played streak to 124 tonight despite a shot to the ribs on Wednesday serious enough that it required X-rays to prove he didn’t break a bone.

A slap shot caromed off the crossbar and hit Kozlov during a power-play drill at the IceForum in Duluth. Kozlov had to leave the practice and went for an X-ray Wednesday afternoon, but he took part in the Thrashers’ skate today at Philips Arena in preparation for tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

“It was just a bruise,” said Kozlov, 36, who hasn’t missed a game since the middle of the 2006-07 season.

He ranks second on the team with two goals in the season’s first three games.