Hurricanes At Thrashers, Final Score: Carolina 6, Atlanta 1

The box-score is a lesson in futility for the Thrashers. It stands as a testament when a team quits, and that’s precisely what the Thrashers did tonight. They weren’t in the game from the puck drop onwards, and they never looked like the team that shut out the Rangers 3-0 last night, not even for a second.

The Thrashers only managed 19 shots on goal to Carolina’s 32, and obviously did significantly less with their scoring chances than the Hurricanes did. Bryan Little scored the only Thrashers goal at 19:21 of the third period to prevent Cam Ward from having a shutout, but the lack of celebration on the ice post-goal was just one more view of a defeated team.

It’s fairly telling what the outcome of the game is going to be when a team is down 2-0 by the end of the first period, and then down 3-0 after less than a minute into the second. Atlanta managed to right the ship briefly the second half of the second period, but the third period got out of control. The Thrashers allowed goals in under two minutes apart yet again this season, with Brandon Sutter and Jussi Jokinen scoring to start the third period barrage. Jokinen’s goal, with Pavelec too far out in front of his crease, prompted the goaltender to break his stick against the glass and throw it across the ice – which of course earned him a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. On the ensuing powerplay, the Canes scored again, with Pavelec too far out in front yet again.

Hopefully Pavelec’s tantrum caught the attention of the team, as turnovers repeatedly left him out to dry; however, Pavs’ tantrum shouldn’t be directed at the team. It was on him tonight. The first four or five goals, had he been more observant or positioned correctly, could have been stopped. He did not play well tonight at all, and his continued disintegration in net should have ended after the first period. Craig Ramsay, however, saw it fit to leave him in and allow the shots to keep piling up in the back of the net.

Pavelec claimed responsibility for the snap, telling the AJC’s Chris Vivlamore:

“I feel like a loser right now, to be honest,” Pavelec said. “Like a loser in front of those people. I have that sensation. We didn’t make [the playoffs]. [The frustration was] my fault of course. I have to control that.

“It happens. You play a bad game. I just felt for myself like a loser. That’s why I did it.”

One of the most important aspects of a goaltender’s game is composure – if you lose it, the opposition with take advantage of you. Pavs has lost concentration multiple times this season – apparently tonight’s game was all of that boiling over in one massive loss of focus. Hopefully he’s learned his lesson.

One Thrashers player who actually did have a good game was defensive call-up Andrei Zubarev. He finished the night even, with 4:55 played on the penalty kill, and 22:46 in ice time overall. Little and Andrew Ladd, who assisted on Little’s goal, managed to escape the blowout with +1 ratings.

Dustin Byfuglien did not escape unscathed, however. His roughing, slashing, and game misconduct penalties halfway through the third period showed massive frustration boiling over. Whether it was frustration at the game or at the season, it was warranted – but not appropriately channeled.

Hurricanes At Thrashers: Atlanta Hopes To Continue To Play The Role Of Spoiler

The Thrashers have just two games left to go in this disappointing season. It started out well enough during the first half, but with the team missing the playoffs for the tenth time in eleven seasons, it's ending the way that the years often do. With disappointment. The Thrashers managed a 3-0 shutout of the New York Rangers last night, hurting the Rangers' playoff hopes. If they lose to the Hurricanes tonight, the Rangers are in even more trouble. Can the Thrashers play the role of spoiler and help another Southeast Division team out?

The Thrashers haven't played well against Carolina this year. The Canes are 4-0-1 to the Thrashers on the season, and not being able to get the full two points every game against them hindered their playoff aspirations from the get-go. While four of those five games wound up in extra time, the Thrashers only bested the Hurricanes at their last meeting on March 9th. Three of the four Thrashers' losses have been handed to the team seemingly by Atlanta-killer Eric Cole, who has had an outstanding season against the Thrashers. the game winner on March 9th was scored by Tim Stapleton, who has cooled off significantly after going through a bit of a hot streak in March.

If the Hurricanes win their last two games, they're back in the playoff picture. If not, then the Rangers are in. Oddly enough, the Thrashers "control" the destiny of the 8th overall spot even when they're not in contention for it. Carolina's going to be a tough nut to crack tonight, as they're coming off of an excellent 3-0 shutout of the Red Wings on Wednesday night. Momentum's on their side, and they're looking to have it carry them all of the way into the playoffs.