Up next: Colby Arm...er, Ilya Kova...er...The Atlanta Thrashers

by FrankD on Apr 3, 2010 7:00 AM EDT in 2009-10 game previews

[SBN Thrashers blog - Birdwatcher's Anonymous]

Record: 34-32-12 (9th in the East)

Scorers: Nik Antropov (24g, 42a), Max Afinogenov (23g, 37a), Rich Peverley (21g, 33a

The Atlanta Thrashers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the East, but it's not going to be easy. Judging by their 9th seed, two points behind the Bruins (who also have a game in hand), there's a good chance it could come down to the last day of the season to determine whether or not they are bound to play past next week. Needless to say, each of the four games remaining on Atlanta's calendar is a must-win game, especially since the Rangers are tied with 80 points and a game in hand as well (five total). This is that fun point in the season where you start to hear talks of magic numbers and one-and-dones (as in, losses). For Atlanta, a loss today could mean an end to their playoff run. To make matters worse, they'll be doing it without Colby Armstrong, who is currently serving a suspension for a hit to the head. Correct me if I'm wrong, but does this make him the first guy suspended since the new rules were put into effect?

Frankly, I'm rooting for Atlanta to make the playoffs. Mind you I'm not rooting for them to win today, so really I can't get both if you think about it. Given the trade of Kovalchuk earlier in the season and a discovery of hidden talent between the pipes, I think the Thrashers have put together a pretty impressive season despite moves that would, on paper at least, put them down as top contenders for a big-name draft pick. At this point not making the playoffs is almost a double kick in the pads.

For the Pens, there's no need to count numbers or sweat it out. They're in. They're playing some postseason hockey. But after ending Wednesday night on the wrong side of a 2-0 shutout against the Lightning, they better feel like they have something worth playing for, if only for pride. Oh yeah, and that whole home ice thing. Otherwise the game thread may likely steer in the direction of food, alcohol and various distractions once again.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Puck and thread at 1:00.

Again, early start. 1:00.

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I’m with you on rooting for the Thrashers to make the playoffs over the Bruins after the Kovalchuk trade… but I don’t want to give them any help today. Not even a point. I want to see the Pens to roll. I’m hoping for more intensity than Wednesday night. Let’s Go Pens!

by Kuhfuss5 on Apr 3, 2010 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, mainly because I cannot stand thinking of the Rangers in the playoffs. I’d take Boston over NY, Atlanta over both. But yeah, can’t (obviously) root for them tonight.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Apr 3, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed on all counts. The only thing to like about the Rangers in the playoffs will be their inevitable meltdown, which will make them great opponents for some lucky team in the first round. Sucks that we can’t have both a spot for the Thrashers in the playoffs and a Pens win today, but I know what’s more important.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast victories and drown defeats.

by GreenEyedLilo on Apr 3, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I also have some sympathy for the Thrashers, but they shot themselves in the foot the last few games (especially the against Boston) so I think they’ll miss the playoffs anyway… so give them no quarter… Go PENS!

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Apr 3, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I am going to miss most of this game (sigh). think we get a pee-pee poor performance from them again?

by CGNC on Apr 3, 2010 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think Colby’s hit broke the new rule, the new rule is for lateral pressure of a vulnerable player, Colby came in from the front…All the league wide furor about cutting down head shots in general couldn’t have helped though.

Hilarious title, btw

Pensburgh.com

"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."

by Hooks Orpik on Apr 3, 2010 9:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I could’ve gone with Nik Antropov and Max Afinogenov in the headline, but I don’t want them to read Pensburgh before the game and get any extra confidence boost. Ya know how it is and all. (dusts shoulders off)

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Apr 3, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

PenguinPoop.com says both Malkin and Gonchar are back today. I sure hope so. It doesn’t help the Pens to be Russian-free.

You’ll like this—my brother and SIL have never liked watching sports, but they moved to Western Pennsylvania earlier this year and figured I could teach them about at least one local sports team. So I taught them a bit about the Penguins. Today, my brother texted me, “Malkin’s back!” I called, and we talked about the game. They’re planning to watch. He’s got a Malkin T-shirt, and his wife, who thinks Staal is “fine as hell,” has a Staal T-shirt. He asked me, “Do you think they’ll play all half-assed ‘cause it’s the Thrashers, or do you think the coach scared them enough after that last game?”

And my response was, “I sure hope the Penguins have some scare in them. They need it.” We’ll see today.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast victories and drown defeats.

by GreenEyedLilo on Apr 3, 2010 11:22 AM EDT reply actions