Final Score : Thrashers 2 - Capitals 1 OT
I knew going into this game that it was going to be a tough contest. First, Washington was coming off a fairly embarrassing loss at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-0, the night before. They were bound to be playing harder in an effort to make up for that poor effort. Second, the Thrashers were playing their first game back from a long 7 game road trip. It's a well know fact that teams tend to struggle in that scenario. It's been stated that the prior reason for these struggles has to do with returning home and facing the everyday tasks of family and house they didn't have to deal with on the road. Third, Washington has been a tough task for Atlanta lately. They play them quite tough and a nice little rivalry has developed. Ovechkin is always a thorn in their side.
The first period certainly showed it wouldn't be an easy night. The Capitals did a much better job than the Thrashers it getting to loose pucks and controlling play. A large majority of time was spent in the Thrasher's zone. The Thrashers' rookie goaltender, Ondrej Pavelec, making his first home start, was in net and did a fine job keeping the Thrashers in the game as Capitals out shot the Thrashers 16-6 in the first period. Pavelec looks very comfortable in the net and shows great form. His rebound control may already be better than Lehtonen's. He still needs work on puck handling but if he keeps it up, he might be challenging Lehtonen for the starting role before too long. The defense played very well in front of him including killing off 3 separate penalties in the first period. Pavelec and team defense kept the 0-0 headed into the first intermission.
The Thrashers offense played better in the second period, carrying the puck better and creating scoring opportunities. Six minutes in, it paid off when a brilliant effort and shot by Kovalchuk found the back of the net giving the Thrashers a 1-0 lead. The goal gave Kovalchuk the NHL lead with 13 goals and the place went nuts. Continued pressure resulted in multiple penalties to Washington, but no more goals. Then, with about 6 minutes left in the second period, Kovy made an awkward twist for a puck before doing one of patented wind-ups for a slapper from the point. Kovy went down in a lump and immediately the crowd fell silent. Kovy eventually left the ice on his own but it was obvious he was suffering pain near his shoulder/upper back. He didn't return for the contest. As of this moment, they are reporting it as back spasms and he almost returned so it doesn't sound too serious. Hopefully, it isn't because without Kovy the Thrashers are in a heap of trouble.
The third period opened with the Thrashers clinging to a 1-0 lead. History has shown that one goal is rarely enough for any team to win, let along the Thrashers and when Holik took a boarding call against Ovechkin, the Capitals were able to capitilize with a goal by Nylander. Pavelec got caught a little out of position, but it was hard to blame him for the goal when he had absolutely no help down low. Down the stretch, the Thrashers had some opportunities, including a power play for the final 1:46. However, they simply couldn't generate many good scoring opportunities. Without Kovy to create space and carry the puck, the team look a bit lost in the offensive end. The best chances can on a couple of point blasts by Tobias Enstrom. The third period horn sounded and the Thrashers were headed to overtime.
The Thrashers did a pretty good job of controlling play in OT and their hard work resulted in a deciding goal. Todd White made a great play to keep the puck in at the point and Kozlov quickly grabbed the loose puck. White headed along the boards and began moving towards the goal. Kozlov made a nice saucer pass to the open White who ripped one high blocker side from a tough angle to score the game winner. It was White's 100th career goal and one that sent the crowd home happy.
White, Pavelec and Kovy were named the 3 stars of the game, deservedly so. Enstrom, Klee and Exelby also had strong games. With the win the Thrashers are no 6-3 since the coaching change and have leap-frogged Washington and Tampa Bay into 3rd place in the Southeast Division. Kovy's injury is obviously a concern but things do look like they are headed in the right direction.
Follow-up on Kovy's injuery. Kovy said after the game "I can't really move or get up but I hope it loosens up and I hope to be ready for next game." He'll have an MRI done on Wednesday just to be safe but he's hoping to play in Friday's contest in Florida.
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