Thrashers Game Report - 02/28/08

Islanders 5 - Thrashers 4 OT

There are so many ways to look at this game. It was a critical game for both teams fighting for their playoff lives. It was the first home game for the Thrashers since the trade deadline and the blockbuster deal that sent Hossa and Dupois to Pittsburgh in exchange for Armstrong, Christensen, Esposito and a first round draft pick. Armstrong and Christensen were making their Thrasher's debut. But in this contest, at least, little else has changed.

Before I move on to the game, some observations about the new players I noticed during warm ups:

Armstrong - I don't think there is whiter guy in the NHL. In a league full of pasty white Canadians and Scandinavians, this guy stands out. Maybe when the rest of the team hits the golf links in a few weeks, Colby can get a bit of sun so the arena lights don't reflect off of him and burn my eyes. He's also incredibly thin. Officially listed at 188lbs, I've got to wonder if he really weighs more than 170 soaking wet. I've seen WWII POWs who looked healthier. It's hard to believe this guy is the same one who delivered all those big hits I've seen on YouTube. Armstrong also looks incredibly young making this observer feel that much older.

Christensen - He's a big body with great hands. He's got a wrist shot that is among the quickest in game and some decent foot work to go along with it. His shoot accuracy needs a bit of work. Like Armstrong, he looks very young.

I did my best to watch this game a little differently. With all the problems the Thrashers have had on defense, I wanted to focus on this area. Instead of watching the puck, I watched defensive positioning, communication and breakout actions. What I saw wasn't pretty.

On a positive note, the Thrashers do have a lot of defensively sound forwards. Rarely were the breakdowns caused by a forward overplaying the puck or making an ill-advised pass. Only Kovalchuk really stood out as a forward with a weak defensive game. That shouldn't come as a huge surprise and it is one I'm more than willing to tolerate as he's far and away the Thrashers best offensive threat. Holik also had a weak defensive game getting himself out of position on more than one occasion. Perrin and Armstrong look especially sound defensively.

The other side of the equation was really ugly and the scoreboard showed it as the Isles jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Each of the Thrashers defensemen deserves a separate comment, some deserve a caning and one deserves his walking papers.

Exelby - 4 WHIPS - He had a horrendous game and continues his backward trend. After showing some promise last year, X hasn't grown at all this season. While he continues to deliver the occasional hard hit, he finds himself out of position way too often. His play last night led directly to two easy Islander goals. He's stuck somewhere between a defensive and offensive defenseman and it shows in his game. His decisions with the puck are just as bad as with his feet.

Klee - 2 WHIPS - Another inconsistent game from a player that was supposed to bring some consistent play to the blueline. For most of the game Klee was one of the better defenders on the ice but his poor pass that resulted in the OT winner for Islanders was one of a couple of miscues that cost the Thrashers dearly. His slow foot speed is his biggest culprit. Klee's lone saving grace was that he netted his first goal of the season.

Kwiatowski - 2 WHIPS - Making a rare start for the Thrashers, this 30 year old defenseman didn't do much to keep himself in the lineup. He looked lost on more than one occasion and couldn't find an outlet pass to save his life.

Havelid - Best defenseman on the night. I didn't see any major miscues by him although it looked like he could have help out Enstrom a bit more. His stats were the worst (-3) but the breakdowns were more his partner on this night.

Enstrom - 4 WHIPS - One of Enstrom's worst nights. The rook has played extremely well for the Thrashers but this just wasn't his night. Two of his breakdowns directly resulted in pucks in the Thrashers net. He also had more trouble than usual carrying the puck out of the Thrashers zone.

Zhitnik - WALKING PAPERS - Oooh look at the score sheet. He scored a goal and registered a +2. Stats be damned. First, I'm taking credit for the Zhitnik goal. Earlier in the game, Zhitnik failed to pinch in the offensive zone on a great opportunity. Not letting this go unrecognized, I yelled "pinch damnit!". Zhitnik looked up, took a step forward and realized he missed the opportunity. So, later when presented with opportunity again, Zhitnik actually did step up and scored the goal. I'm still waiting to hear if I'm in consideration for the coaching position. Defensively, Zhitnik was his usual horrible self. Constantly out of position, his play led to multiple scoring opportunities. He's so slow to the puck that I swear he leaves a trail of slime on the ice. One terrible breakdown left him with no option but to commit a penalty. I could tolerate this if it was only occasionally, he was young or he wasn't being paid $4 million a year. Right now he's just taking up a spot that could be used to develop another player for the future. 3 goals on the season is not about to make me overlook his defensive deficiencies.

As you can probably tell, I'm genuinely disgusted with the Thrashers defense. While I applaud them for doing an overhaul prior to this season, I'm a bit depressed we've seen no overall improvement as a result. Looks like we are in for another overhaul as only Enstrom and Havelid are worth keeping around.

Back to the game.

After the Thrashers terrible defensive start that resulted in a far too easy 3-0 deficit, things got turned around in the second period. A great defensive play by Perrin, shorthanded, resulted in clear breakaway. The Islanders had no response but to haul him down, resulting in a penalty shot. Perrin made a nice stick move and out duel DiPietro to get the Thrashers on the board. I couldn't help but think that the gimmicky OT shootout took a little of the drama away from the penalty shot. This goal spark the Thrashers and within 12 minutes they had tied the game at 3. Considering the D had only scored 10 goals all season, it was a rarity to see to D goals. One, by Klee was a nice setup by Armstrong & Perrin. The other was the Zhitnik goal with my assist from section 106.

Just when everyone was feeling good, the Thrashers defense failed again and Comrie put the Islanders up 4-3 with another easy goal early in the 3rd. All seemed just about lost when Holik threw a light shot towards net with under 2 minutes to play. DiPietro somehow managed to miss it and the Thrashers found their way to OT with a 4-4 tie.

Things were not going to go the Thrashers way this night as yet another defensive breakdown off a faceoff gave the Islanders and excellent chance that they cashed in and sent the masses headed to the exit with a 5-4 loss.

Its easy to say the Thrashers didn't give up and fought their way back from 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to earn a point. But the reality is their defense let them down again and kept them from getting the valuable extra point.

A few other notes from the game:

- The arena was actually much fuller than expected for a middle of the week game against a relatively weak opponent. However, there was absolutely zero buzz in the building until the penalty shot. Of course, the Thrashers gave them little reason to cheer.

- Good reception for the new additions. Armstrong did get in one really good hit and played a sound game all-around logging time on the penalty kill as well. Christensen look pretty good too seeing time on the top power play unit. For now both these players are playing with Perrin and that was the most effective line of the night.

- Kovy was surrounded all night and had few opportunities. He did have two nice checks though and went to the net a little more. Both of these are things I like to see him do more of. He has these skills but doesn't use them much.

- I got more than my fair share of French yelled in my ear. At least it was passionate hockey fans instead of someone talking about their latest cell phone, their favorite American Idol contestant or their cute little dog. Apparently "SHOOT" is universal. I wonder how you say "Zhitnik you suck" in French or better yet Russian!