The Thrashers are looking to break a three game losing streak tonight when they head into the Big Apple tonight to face off against the Rangers (4-2-1) at Madison Square Garden. The Thrashers are winless since their come from behind victory over the San Jose Sharks a week and a half ago, having fallen to both the Buffalo Sabres (4-1) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-2) at home before traveling to Washington DC to lose to the Capitals in overtime (4-3). The Thrashers have scored six goals in their last three games, which is not exactly high tech firepower, especially when you consider that they allowed 42, 33, and 34 shots on goal those games.
The Rangers have scored eight goals their last three games, and have won all three of them, taking out the Maple Leafs, Bruins, and struggling Devils. They've been on a roll, though in the third period of their win over New Jersey they were outshot 12-5. They could be wearing down their hot streak, which could give the Thrashers some hope. Of course, in their last three games they've managed 33, 30, and 32 shots on goal. The Thrashers need to tighten defensively tonight to limit SOG. Ondrej Pavelec is on a rehab stint in Chicago with the Wolves, so a tired Chris Mason gets the start again. Noah Welch also has been recalled to replace an injured Tyler Meyer, and Zach Bogosian is another injured scratch. The healthy scratch for tonight is Jim Slater, which means that Niclas Bergfors will be in the lineup.
Evander Kane has five goals so far this season, and Andrew Ladd is averaging a point per game, which is his best start yet. The Thrashers will benefit from the injuries to Chris Drury, Marian Gaborik, and Vaclav Prospal, who will be sidelined tonight.