Is tonight a must-win game for the Thrashers?
Probably not, but it is the biggest game of the season- at least until Thursday. With a win in regulation time the Thrashers will pass the Bruins and move into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Boston will have a game in hand though, so the Thrashers can?t afford to let up after tonight whether they win or not.
And don?t think for a second that the Bruins are the only team in danger of dropping out of playoff contention in the East. The Flyers are in trouble with questionable goaltending and their leading scorer (Jeff Carter) out with a fractured foot, compliments of a Clarke MacArthur shot. they?re stalled at 79 points (four ahead of Atlanta) and play the Senators tonight. If the Senators and Thrashers both win the Flyers will only have a two-point cushion over Atlanta. The Canadiens are also sitting at 79 points, so the Thrashers could move up a couple spots if they keep playing the way have been and Montreal or Philly falters.
John Anderson said he doesn?t want his team to think about the standings or the implication of the game. He?d rather have them focus on playing the right way, but it?s clear from talking to them that the players are well aware of how huge tonight?s game is.
As for the lineup tonight, Johan Hedberg will be in goal for the Thrashers and the rest of the lineup will remain the same with Kozlov, Thorburn and Chelios as the scratches.
Probably not, but it is the biggest game of the season- at least until Thursday. With a win in regulation time the Thrashers will pass the Bruins and move into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Boston will have a game in hand though, so the Thrashers can?t afford to let up after tonight whether they win or not.
And don?t think for a second that the Bruins are the only team in danger of dropping out of playoff contention in the East. The Flyers are in trouble with questionable goaltending and their leading scorer (Jeff Carter) out with a fractured foot, compliments of a Clarke MacArthur shot. they?re stalled at 79 points (four ahead of Atlanta) and play the Senators tonight. If the Senators and Thrashers both win the Flyers will only have a two-point cushion over Atlanta. The Canadiens are also sitting at 79 points, so the Thrashers could move up a couple spots if they keep playing the way have been and Montreal or Philly falters.
John Anderson said he doesn?t want his team to think about the standings or the implication of the game. He?d rather have them focus on playing the right way, but it?s clear from talking to them that the players are well aware of how huge tonight?s game is.
As for the lineup tonight, Johan Hedberg will be in goal for the Thrashers and the rest of the lineup will remain the same with Kozlov, Thorburn and Chelios as the scratches.
