Thrashers expect Christensen back soon

• BACK SOON: Erik Christensen expects to be able to return to the Thrashers’ lineup next week after regaining strength in his injured right shoulder. He partially separated the shoulder the first half of last season, then again in training camp this season, then Dec. 2 at Montreal. An MRI showed nothing that needed to be surgically repaired, he said, but each time the shoulder pops out he loses strength in some of the surrounding muscles, and it takes time to build that strength back. Christensen said it hasn’t affected his shot. He skated Wednesday for the first time since Montreal and said the shoulder felt fine.

• DOING BETTER: Boris Valabik entered Wednesday’s game as one of only seven Thrashers with a positive plus-minus rating. He was plus-one, meaning the team had scored one more even-strength goal than it had allowed with him on the ice. “I’m getting to the point where I’m almost playing my game,” said Valabik, who was appearing in his fourth consecutive game and ninth this season Wednesday night. Injuries to Zach Bogosian and Mathieu Schneider created an opportunity for Valabik to play regularly. “I know I can play well when I get comfortable out there and when I feel confident, when I feel comfortable in the dressing room and off the ice,” Valabik said. “It’s a little hard when you don’t know what’s going to happen to you, when you’re up [from the minor league affiliate] day to day.” Schneider might be back this weekend, and Bogosian possibly later this month. “I have no idea what’s going to happen,” Valabik said. “I might be back in Chicago tomorrow as far as I know.”

• WORLD CLASS: Thrashers TV broadcaster Matt McConnell has been chosen to do play-by-play for NHL Network coverage of the U.S. team at the World Junior Championship Dec. 26-Jan. 5 at Ottawa.

— Mike Knobler