Not a rough first period for the Thrashers, just a small miscue cost the team a goal. Tobias Enstrom flubbed a clearing pass out of the zone, and passed the puck directly to an oncoming Tyler Myers. All six feet, eight inches of the oncoming defensemen pushed the momentum through to the puck – he lazered one past Ondrej Pavelec for the only goal of the period. The Thrashers almost surrendered two goals, but Johnny Oduya caught a puck that was squeaking in past a prone Pavelec right in the nick of time.
Both teams wound up with a powerplay. The Thrashers managed a shot on theirs, but did keep Buffalo off of the scoresheet during the Sabres’ powerplay.
Brent Sopel is tonight’s healthy scratch on defense, which means that Patrick Rissmiller is in instead. He is on a line with Chris Thorburn at center and Niclas Bergfors at right wing.