After playing in 251 consecutive games, Slava Kozlov has now missed two in a row.
The Thrashers' veteran forward was a healthy scratch again Tuesday against Anaheim after his consecutive games streak was snapped Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Kozlov has 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) and is a minus-14 this season. Kozlov said Monday he was disappointed with the move and hoped to return to the lineup soon. Earlier his month, Thrashers coach John Anderson scratched forward Todd White for five consecutive games.
“It will be a day-to-day basis," Anderson said. "It’s very hard for me as a coach to not play a guy I really like as a person and have great respect for him and his professionalism. I did what I thought was best for the team at this point and maybe what’s best for him because I know he’s going to come back and be a force.”
Defenseman Mark Popovic also was scratched, and defenseman Christoph Schubert (knee) is on injured reserve. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen is on a conditioning assignment at AHL Chicago. Lehtonen will start for the Wolves in their next game on Wednesday.
Hedberg back in goal
Johan Hedberg got his second consecutive start Tuesday, his third in the past five games. In the three starts, Hedberg allowed one goal in each and made a total of 72 saves (.960 save percentage). He lost two before Tuesday's win.
"It's got to be in the past," Hedberg said of his recent luck. "At the same time, you always take with you what happened in games, good or bad. You have to learn and use those experiences for future references. I think things have been going well for the team lately. We've run into some hot goaltenders my two last starts [Florida's Tomas Vokoun and Tampa Bay's Antero Niittymaki]. That's going to happen.
"It’s going to be the other way around too, where we might get a game or two. We have to keep plugging away. We are doing the right things. We just need to get rewarded here soon.”
Thorburn returns
Forward Chris Thorburn, who missed Monday's practice because a family issue, returned to the team.
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