As we approach the All-Star break the Atlanta Thrashers have had a monster year so far in the 06-07 season. But it hasn’t been without it’s shares of ups and downs. Injuries have plagued the defensive unit all year and Ilya Kovalchuk has not played at the level he has in the past, he is 25th in the league in points, something coach Bob Hartley has been very critical of as late. But the All-Star play of Marian Hossa and the Goalie tandem of Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg have come up huge with big wins in key spots for the “streaky” Thrashers, leading them to 1st place in the Southeast Division.
The first half of the season has been a great one for the Thrashers so far. The ghosts of the 99-00 season have long since been forgotten in “BLUELAND”. Marian Hossa and Slava Kozlov have been playing outstanding and Kovalchuk, even not playing like he has in the past, is still better than most in the NHL at what he does and that’s create plays and score goals. It also looks as if Kari Lehtonen has turned the corner and finally learned how to be aggressive and make big stops, and he is almost money in shootouts.
There only weakness is on the power play and penalty kill, where at times they have been dreadful. If when they get down to a 5 on 4 situation they can keep there cool and quit turning it into a 5 on 3 then most of there problems should work themselves out. And when power play chances arise learn to take good shots and stop passing so much just because you don’t wear number 17 or 18 doesn’t mean you can’t take a shot. Glen Metropolit, Jon Sim, and Bobby Holik are the ones who need to take those shots because you know Kovy and Hossa are more than likely double teamed if they are on the ice.
But the increased attendance records, ending the Sabers winning streak, the birth of a “true” rivalry with the Washington Capitals, and the additions on Jon Sim and Johan Hedberg have been key to the excitement of both the fans and the players, for this team on the brink of there 1st playoff birth and possibly 1st divisional title.
