Penguins vs Thrashers preview 11-24-07

by FrankD

11.24.07

More at http://pensburgh.blogspot.com

Tonight the Pens take on the Thrashers at home in Pittsburgh for the first of four faceoffs this season.

The Thrashers started the season off 0-6, on what can only be described subtly as "The wrong foot." After firing Head Coach Bob Hartley, the team made a dramatic turn around that has since brought them to a .500 win percentage with a record of 11-11. On the wake of their first playoff berth in franchise history, the Thrash are looking for a repeater under the leadership of Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa.

Kovalchuk, went two consecutive games with a hat trick against both Tampa Bay and Ottawa, while Hossa has been nothing short of prolific averaging nearly a point a game. In there most recent game Friday night, The Thrashers were shutout by Martin Brodeur and the Devils squad, delivering Kovi and the gang their first loss in four games.

The Pens are hoping to wrap up the month of November on a positive note. In the 11 previous games this month, the Penguins hold the record of 3-7-1. As far as the Atlantic Division race is concerned, this was no doubt a harsh month for the Penguins to slump. Out of 18 potential points within their division, the Pens barely walked away with five. They suffered two losses from the Flyers, the Devils and one regulation loss and overtime loss from the Rangers.

However, things have started to look like they're turning around. In their last four games the Pens are 2-1-1. Most recently Pittsburgh dropped Ottawa in a 6-5 shootout victory that proved a variety of morale boosts to the struggling squad. The team tied their highest single game performance of the year (5-0 against the Devils), beat one of the best teams in the league and additionally sent a message out to teams everywhere that they're ready to play.

Tonight, the Penguins are hoping to finish the remainder of this month with two more wins. They'll have to fight past the Thrashers and goalie Johan Hedberg before the last battle of November against the Stars.

The puck drops tonight at 7:30.

CRS-ONEVarsity Captain

739 days ago

Score 0

Tonight should be a fun game. Hopefully Atlanta's defensemen will show up to play.

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

739 days ago

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You never know with them. I think if Atlanta really wants to compete at a higher level this year, they have to adapt their forwards to a more two-way style and include their defenseman on the attack. I feel they just dish the puck to Hossa or Kovi and say, "Make some pretty out of this."

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CRS-ONEVarsity Captain

739 days ago

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That's the problem with the Thrashers. Hossa, Kovi and Kozlov are really the only three guys who contribute on the attack. The last few seasons they've contributed about 50-60% of the Thrashers' goals.

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

739 days ago

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No better on the Pens' side either. Malkin, Gonchar and Crosby have been doing most of the work. In the last game against the Senators Ryan Malone woke up and clicked for two. The problem with the team all season has been a lack of depth, and when you really get down to it, that's what really gets you the cup. When you rely on just two or three guys to get the job done, it's most likely not going to happen. At least the Thrashers and Penguins are going through similar goaltending troubles with Lehtonen out. You expect this one to be high scoring?

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CRS-ONEVarsity Captain

739 days ago

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I think it might be. Like you said, both teams have been having problems with their goalies and have a few people the can depend on scoring. Which ever team's defense exerts themselves first will probably win the game.

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