The Thrashers allowed their second hat trick in as many nights as Alex Semin set his sites on the net. Evander Kane scored twice, including a goal to send the game into OT, but the Thrashers couldn’t get it done. The Thrashers began the game pressuring the Capitals, even outshooting them, but they couldn’t maintain the torrid pace and were outshot by the Capitals 44-32.
The penalty kill was solid tonight, killing off three penalties. The power play also was good, with Andrew Ladd scoring the first goal of the game after John Erskine went off for boarding on Jim Slater.
The discipline of the team was overall good, with the probable exception of Dustin Byfuglien, who was booted from the game on a hit on Washington goalie Michael Neuvirth (video to come as it is posted to NHL.com).
It was a much better effort than fans are used to seeing as the second game of a back-to-back, but in the end, the team couldn’t sustain the momentum that they had at the start.
Shots on goal have to be limited – they’ve allowed more than 30 every game this season. Chris Mason is third in the league in shots against, after Jonas Hiller and Marty Turco – so far, the Thrashers have allowed 239 on him so far this season.