SB Nation Atlanta - Atlanta Thrashers Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - The Fourth Line Surprises, But The Thrashers Fallhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-10-09T22:20:35-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15019072010-10-09T22:20:35-04:002010-10-09T22:20:35-04:00Thrashers Fall 5-3 To Tampa Bay Lightning
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Steven Stamkos</span> was trying for a hat trick all night, and he very nearly got it. The Thrashers, in the second game of a back-to-back, dropped the game 5-3 to the Bolts. The offense never seemed to click and the team generally seemed tired. Endurance is going to be an issue for the Thrashers’ west coast road trip, with a back-to-back against the Ducks and Sharks scheduled for next weekend as well.</p>
<p>Shots were 36-30 in favor of Tampa Bay. Allowing thirty-six shots in a game is part of the reason that the team fell this evening. The defense needs to look at on-ice placement to better limit shots and quality scoring chances both.</p>
<p>The fourth line of Eager-Burmistrov-Thorburn contributed two goals on the evening and finished a +2, which was the highlight of the team’s play. Again, this reinforces coach Craig Ramsay’s “all lines must contribute” mentality. Attitude like that from the 4th line is contagious. It was apparent Friday night, and hopefully will follow the team to California.</p>
<p>The Thrashers’ next game is Tuesday against the LA Kings at 10:30.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1741267/thrashers-fall-5-3-to-tampa-bay-lightningLaura Astorian2010-10-09T21:49:41-04:002010-10-09T21:49:41-04:00Chris Thorburn Scores To Bring Thrash Within One; Stamkos Scores To Extend Lead To Two
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Chris Thorburn</span> scored at 7:31 of the 3rd to bring the Thrashers within one, but a screen and deflection by <span>Steven Stamkos</span> on a <span>Randy Jones</span> shot helps the Bolts pull to a 2 goal lead, being up 5-3 with 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd period.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1741208/chris-thorburn-scores-to-bring-thrash-within-one-stamkos-scores-toLaura Astorian2010-10-09T21:25:29-04:002010-10-09T21:25:29-04:00Two Goals Two Minutes Apart Bring Thrashers Within Two
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Tobias Enstrom</span> scored (assists from Niclas Bergfors and <span>Andrew Ladd</span>) on a rare shot for the diminutive Swede. Enstrom is being pushed by the coaching staff to shoot more often – he’s got a strong shot, but his game consists on passing to the right point on the powerplay. Enstrom and Bogosian make up the first powerplay point pairing, and tonight’s was successful.</p>
<p>The second Thrashers’ goal came from <span>Ben Eager</span> with a bank in off the post behind <span>Mike Smith</span>. Thrashers’ <span class="caps">SOG</span> at the end of the 2nd period were up to twenty two shots on goal, and the Lightning were up to 29. The gap’s closing, but 29 shots on goal after two periods is entirely too high.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1741167/two-goals-two-minutes-apart-bring-thrashers-within-twoLaura Astorian2010-10-09T20:50:53-04:002010-10-09T20:50:53-04:00Lecavalier And Stamkos Continue The Scoring For Tampa Bay
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Chris Mason</span> currently has faced 26 shots in the game; the Lecavalier goal was on the powerplay. Allowing 20 shots on goal in the first period is inexcusable.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1741126/lecavalier-and-stamkos-continue-the-scoringLaura Astorian2010-10-09T19:59:42-04:002010-10-09T19:59:42-04:00Steve Downie Makes It 1-0 Bolts; Dominic Moore Makes it 2-0.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A quick slide of the puck between the legs of <span>Chris Mason</span> makes it 1-0 Lightning, taking advantage of a Thrashers’ too many men on the ice penalty. Downie scored on an assist from <span>Ryan Malone</span> and <span>Brett Clark</span>.</p>
<p>Moore takes advantage of too much free space and too much time and the Thrashers are down 2-0. <span>Dominic Moore</span> scored on an assist from <span>Teddy Purcell</span> and <span>Sean Bergenheim</span>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1741049/steve-downie-makes-it-1-0-bolts-dominic-moore-makes-it-2-0Laura Astorian2010-10-09T18:35:50-04:002010-10-09T18:35:50-04:00Full Opening Night Line-Up For The Lightning Posted
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Forwards:<br>
St. Louis – Stamkos – Downie<br>
Gagne – Lecavalier – Malone<br>
Bergenheim – Thompson – Purcell<br>
Hall – Moore – Tyrell</p>
<p>Defense:<br>
Kubina – Clark<br>
Hedman – Jones<br>
Lundin – Smaby</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1740923/full-opening-night-line-up-for-the-lightning-postedLaura Astorian2010-10-09T18:23:46-04:002010-10-09T18:23:46-04:00Thrashers To Face Mike Smith In Goal
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Looks like <span>Dan Ellis</span> has a problem – he’s not starting the home opener for the Lightning tonight. The <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/tampa-bay-lightning-tabs-mike-smith-to-start-opener/1126884" target="new">Thrashers will be facing off against Mike Smith tonight in net.</a></p>
<p>Smith was 1-1 against the Thrashers last season, with a 4.50 <span class="caps">GAA</span> and a .836 SV%.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1740910/thrashers-to-face-mike-smith-in-goalLaura Astorian2010-10-09T17:53:23-04:002010-10-09T17:53:23-04:00Ondrej Pavelec News: Thrashers Recall Chicago Wolves Goaltender Drew MacIntyre
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a target="new" href="http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=540085&navid=DL%7CATL%7Chome">The Thrashers brought up the Chicago Wolves starting goaltender Drew MacIntyre</a> to fill in for <span>Ondrej Pavelec</span> for the time being. MacIntyre will more than likely accompany the Thrashers on their upcoming west coast road trip next week, seeing as how Pavelec has a concussion and the conclusion on the original cause of his passing out has not been reached.</p>
<p><span>Chris Mason</span> will more than likely be starting every game until Pavelec returns to play. MacIntyre has not been given the chance to play much at the <span class="caps">NHL</span> level, but his <span class="caps">AHL</span> stats are solid. He has a 111-67-10 record in the <span class="caps">AHL</span>. Last season he finished with a 2.54 <span class="caps">GAA</span> and a .917 save percentage.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2010/10/9/1740855/thrashers-recall-chicago-wolves-goaltender-drew-macintyreLaura Astorian