[k4sum1]

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc321/kasumigdts/GDT%20Headers/panvsthrashers.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc321/kasumigdts/GDT%20Headers/BAC%20Times/bac730.jpg

THRASHERS (17-11-3) AT PANTHERS (13-14-7)
TV: FS-F, SPSO | Radio: 790 The Ticket, Listen Live on NHL Radio

Last 10 - - Atlanta 6-4-0; Florida 3-4-3

Season series - - This is the second of six meetings between these two Southeast Division rivals. The Thrashers took the first two contests: a 2-1 shootout win in Sunrise, Fla. back on Dec. 5 and a 4-3 decision on Nov. 30 in Atlanta.

Big story - - Atlanta is seeking its third win in a row overall, while the Panthers are trying to creep back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Thrashers are also looking to defeat Florida for the third time this season and the second time in a row at BankAtlantic Center, dating back to last season.

Team Scope:

Thrashers - - The words “Thrashers” and “playoffs” haven’t been used together too often in the city of Atlanta, but the Thrashers have certainly proved that they can hang with the rest of the tough Eastern Conference competition all season long. Their 2-1 shootout win against the Rangers on Monday was their second victory over New York this season and their 37 points has them in the sixth position in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

Coach John Anderson realized the significance of Monday’s victory, which helped his team get back on the positive side of things in such a hotly contested conference.

"It was very big for us," Anderson said. "We want to be on the winning track. Two games in a row is good."

Panthers - - The Cats return home to Sunrise after going 2-1-1 during a five-game road trip this past week, capped by a convincing 7-1 win at the New York Islanders on Monday. There has been little consistency with Florida as their longest winning streak is only three games, which actually occurred twice this season, but they have picked up points in eight of their last 13 contests.

The seven goal performance against the Islanders had head coach Peter DeBoer gaining confidence in his squad.

"I liked the fact the last couple of nights that when we had a team down, we found a way to close them out," DeBoer said. "We have to continue to do that."

Who’s hot - - Goaltender Johan Hedberg has won three of his last four starts for Atlanta, including a career-high 46 save performance over the Rangers in his last game. Nathan Horton notched a hat trick and added an assist against the Islanders and now has seven points over a current three-game point scoring streak.

Injury report - - The Thrashers are still without defenseman Mark Popvic (broken foot) and goaltender Kari Lehtonen (back surgery). Center Dominic Moore returned for Florida on Monday from an upper-body injury, while center Gregory Campbell is still listed as day-to-day with the same injury. Kendal McArdle (shoulder), Cory Stillman (knee) and Nick Tarnasky (face) are expected to return in the coming weeks. David Booth (concussion) is out indefinitely.

Stat pack - - Atlanta averages the second most shots against per game in the League at 34.5, while Florida averages the most shots against at 34.9.

Puck drop - - It’s safe to say that this matchup can be dubbed “The Shootout at Sunrise”, considering each club’s penchant for giving up close to 35 shots against per game. The pressure will be on both Atlanta goaltender Hedberg and his opponent Tomas Vokoun to keep the constant flow of shots out of the net.

[k4sum1]

Let's go Panthers!

[State 0f Chaos]

Let's go Thrashers!

[Imber]

Heh, gotta' love this...

"This is the second of six meetings between these two Southeast Division rivals. The Thrashers took the first two contests"

Definitely the third meeting. I'm really not liking the Thrashers this year. All of a sudden, we can't beat them. I'll be there tonight with some people. Need to get some home wins.

[tk90]

GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sabresfan2630]

Go Panthers!!

[CatWoman34]

LET'S GO PANTHERS!

:yes: :dance: :gap:

[sharkdivmstr]

LET'S GO CATS!!!

[HockeyKate30]

LETS GO PANTHERS!

[drscruf]

WEISS!!!!! On the rebound and going to the net! 1-0 Panthersss!!!

[drscruf]

And we WIN! Awesome! In regulation too! WOOT!

This point has been edited by drscruf: 16 December 2009 - 11:13 PM

[Imber]

That was a hell of a game to be at. Panthers blow the two goal third period lead, as per usual, but the ending was great. Way to keep battling.

[R.J.]

While there is still some work to be done in our own end defensively (blowing a 3-goal lead scares me), I must say I really liked what I saw out of our top forwards tonight when the game was on the line. They have been on fire for the past 2-3 weeks and I hope they just keep clicking. Horton looks like a different player, the guy we hoped he'd be, he holds the puck with authority and for once I actually don't expect him to bobble it. I think he is finally getting the whole "shoot the puck" idea. Weiss looks comfortable out there most nights and is starting to see the benefits of shooting as well. If he puts up assists like last year and adds some more goals, he could easily end up averaging a point a game or higher. Frolik is starting to find his niche and is looking like he is going to enter the Olympic break strong.
I also like that we have had a chance to see some of our prospects for more than one game at a time. Oreskovich is a beast, he has size but he works as hard as the little guys which makes him a force. Duco is like a little wrecking ball; he goes out there and stirs things up. Repik looks like he is going to be dangerous, he is pretty smooth for a rookie. I wish McArdle hadn't gone down with injury, he is a workhorse too. Now all I am left asking myself is whether or not we would be playing this way if we had Booth, and what we will play like when he returns... Oh well, hopefully we can keep up the offense and stick it to the Canes on Friday.

This point has been edited by R.J.: 17 December 2009 - 02:41 AM

[necrotraficante]

After losing a three-goal lead, I got nervous. I'm tired of all these heart-attack situations the Panthers put themselves and their fans through. They have to learn how to keep a lead, learn how to tighten up defensively. Our problems are mainly in our defense and special teams. Had four powerplays and couldn't convert on any of them.

Stephen Weiss's spin-a-roony feed to Frolik at the edge of Hedberg's crease was delicious and its nice to see that we have offense, but our issue is defense. We have good defensemen (McCabe is a franchise blueliner and our captain, Ballard's puckhandling and hip check are tasty assets, and Allen is a big dude who loves to play the body), its just something's not clicking with the D. Goaltending is absolutely not an issue. Any goalie would buckle under the lack of support they have in front of them. The Cats give up way too many shots. Although, to be fair, Vokoun does operate a lot better when he faces more shots. Clemmer is a competent backup and I think he has a raw deal. I think he'll shine as the season progresses (remember Detroit? That's the Clemmensen I want in the crease).

We're missing a lot of our key players (Booth, Campbell, Stillman) and we have a squad peppered with Amerks call-ups. Not that its a bad thing, its good to have the American League boys to get ice time in the show. They're doing a great job! Matthias and Repik have impressed me greatly and I hope they grow into NHL-caliber players. It shows that the farm in Rochester is doing their job in developing talent. Who knows? Maybe they'll get their full-time roster spot next season...

[Imber]

One thing me and my friend who was with me last night noticed was that Matthias never touched the ice in the third period. This seems to be a trend in close games. Maybe we blow leads because we gas our lineup by double shifting everybody. I don't know why the kids aren't given more ice time in the third. They play well throughout the game.

[necrotraficante]

Did anyone else feel a sharp pain in their side when Kreps got hit into that open door hinge? Owies...