About the Thrashers - 12-02-10
A preview of the Thrashers.
When and where: 7 p.m., Consol Energy Center.
TV: FSN Pittsburgh. Sports South.
Record: 13-9-3, 29 points. The Thrashers are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division and third place in the Southeast Division.
Leading Scorer: Dustin Byfuglien (right), 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists).
Last Game: 3-2 road overtime win against the Avalanche, Tuesday. Byfuglien had a goal and an assist for the Thrashers.
Last Game against the Penguins: 4-2 home loss, Nov. 13. Evgeni Malkin had three goals and an assist for the Penguins.
Thrashers Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Niclas Bergfors. The young emerging Penguin-killer has nine points in seven career games against the Penguins.
Ex-Penguins on the Thrashers: Chris Thorburn, RW.
Ex-Thrashers on the Penguins: Jason Botterill, assistant general manager; Pascal Dupuis, RW; Todd Reirden, assistant coach.
Useless Thrashers Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: Former Penguins forward Petr Nedved recorded the first hat trick against the Thrashers. While playing with the Rangers, Nedved scored three goals in a 6-3 road win, Jan. 24, 2000.
Best Thrashers Video We Could Find: Thrashers rookie forward Alexander Burmistrov ripping up the Capitals' defense last month:
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Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (9-6-1, 2.47 GAA, .908 SV%) for the Penguins and Ondrej Pavelec (7-4-2, 1.65 GAA, .948 SV%) for the Thrashers.
Injuries: For the Penguins, goaltender Brent Johnson (illness) is questionable. Forward Mike Comrie (undisclosed) is doubtful. Forward Jordan Staal (hand) and defenseman Alex Grant (wrist) are on injured reserve. For the Thrashers, forward Fredrik Modin (ribs) is day to day.
Potential lines and defensive pairings
-The Penguins' primary lines during yesterday's practice were (PG+):
Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Max Talbot - Evgeni Malkin
Chris Conner - Mark Letestu - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp/Eric Godard - Craig Adams - Arron Asham
-Their primary defensive pairings against the Rangers Monday were:
Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek
Alex Goligoski - Deryk Engelland
-The Thrashers' primary lines and defensive pairings against the Avalanche were:
Andrew Ladd - Rich Peverly - Niclas Bergfors
Ben Eager - Alexander Burmistrov - Nik Antropov
Evander Kane - Bryan Little - Anthony Stewart
Eric Boulton - Jim Slater - Chris Thorburn
Ron Hainsey - Brent Sopel
Tobias Enstrom - Dustin Byfulien
Johnny Oduya - Zach Bogosian
Notes:
-Don't worry about Evgeni Malkin.
-The immovable object versus the irresistable force. The Penguins have a seven game-winning streak while the Thrashers are on a six-game winning streak.
-Johnson skilled yesterday's practice due to an illness (PG+).
-Talbot has 49 career goals.
-Martin has 148 career assists.
-Crosby has 346 career assists.
-Kunitz has 147 career assists.
-Comrie has 197 career assists.
-The Penguins have won seven consecutive games.
-New captain Andrew Ladd might be the first real leader in the history of the Thrashers franchise.
-With 10 goals, Byfuglien has already tied the single-season record for goals by a defenseman.
-With a win, the Thrashers can set a franchise record with their seventh consecutive win.
-Our live blog begins at approximately 6 p.m. Please tune in.
(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)