Welcome to tonight’s liveblog. If you look very closely you might see some changes on the blog. We’ve been doing some tweaking on the back end and actually have two versions going at once. We’re going to use the newer version for the liveblog tonight and we’ll retire the old one once I get back to Atlanta, if not sooner.
Believe it or not, the Thrashers are going for their sixth straight win over the Sabres. They were 4-0-0 against them last season and beat them in the final meeting of 2007-08. Atlanta’s last loss to the Sabres was in January of 2008 when they lost 10-1 here in Buffalo. The goaltender for that game was… Johan Hedberg, who has an otherwise outstanding record versus the Sabres.
Players are on the ice for intros, so we’re just about ready to roll. As always I’ll be monitoring the comments, so feel free to chime in.
**UPDATE**
A couple of chances early at each end, and Max Afinogenov seems to have some extra jump in his step, as does Slava Kozlov. My magic 8-ball says that their line will score at least once tonight.
Johan Hedberg has looked sharp early. A good first period is key for him in his first action of the year.
**UPDATE**
The Sabres stopped a Thrashers flurry, but the refs noticed that they used too many men to do it. Thrashers got a power play and Kovy made them pay. Oddly enough, the fans were booing Afinogenov when he touched the fact, even though the Sabres didn’t even offer him a contract. It’s not like he could have returned.
Antropov and Peverley got the assists on Kovy’s goal.
**UPDATE**
A lot of people have been commenting that the Thrashers need to shoot more and cut down on the shots against. Shots right now are 10-1 Atlanta and we’re less than halfway through the first period.
**UPDATE**
Timeout Sabres. Something to do with it being 2-0 Thrashers with 10:12 left in the first. Kovalchuk has his second of the game and sixth seventh of the season. Assists to Bryan Little and Nik Antropov.
**UPDATE**
Hedberg has only faced three shots so far and while he’s making the stops he looks a little unsettled. Given that he hasn’t played a regular season game since April it’s understandable. I’m sure he’ll get in a groove shortly.
**UPDATE**
Time to see if the PK can live up to its play from last night. Bogosian is in the box for hooking.
**UPDATE**
And that’s another penalty successfully killed. Shots are evening out now at 14-9.
**UPDATE**
Thrashers on the PP but it’s off to a slow start.
**UPDATE**
Atlanta didn’t score on the PP. It’s 2-0 after the first period and the shots are 16-13 Thrashers.
**UPDATE**
First period stat highlights:
- Enstrom and Kubina led ATL defensemen in ice-time. Peverley edged Kovalchuk by a second at 6:34 for top honors for forwards.
- Rich Peverley is 6-0 in the faceoff circle.
- Kovalchuk led all Thrashers in shots with 4.
- Kubina is the hits leader with two.
- Mike Grier has three shots for Buffalo
**UPDATE**
The second period is off to slower start. A Thrashers power play came and went with no shots on goal. The Atlanta defense is doing a good job clearing the crease to prevent second chances. Christoph Schubert is doing exactly what was expected- using his size to help keep attackers away from his goaltender and to make life tough for Buffalo forwards along the boards.
**UPDATE**
Thrashers dodged a bullet when Paul Gaustad fanned on a point-blank give-and-go.
**UPDATE**
Clarke MacArthur just made it 2-1 Atlanta, scoring on the fly from the left wing as Pavel Kubina tried to get a stick in the lane. It may have been tipped.
Thrashers will try to get it back on a power play momentarily.
**UPDATE**
And just like that it’s 3-1 Atlanta. Todd White on the power play from the doorstep. It’s White’s first goal of the year, assisted by Enstrom and Kozlov.
**UPDATE**
We could be primed for some ugliness. Mike Grier is starting to run around looking for hits and Thorburn just collided with Lalime, much to the displeasure of the Sabres.
**UPDATE**
Following a hook in front of the Atlanta net, the Thrashers are down 5 men to 3. Hainsey and Bogosian are in the box, which will test the PK prowess of Schubert and Popovic. Bogosian doesn’t play much onthe PK but Hainsey is a mainstay with Kubina, who is now out with Enstrom.
**UPDATE**
Outstanding job killing the 5-on-3. We’re back at even strength and the Thrashers still hold a slight shot advantage (20-19).
**UPDATE**
Nice rush by Buffalo’s Jochen Hecht, beating Mark Popovic wide to the outside. Popovic did the right thing keeping him wide and making sure he couldn’t ge t a totally clean shot off. Hedberg stopped it easily.
**UPDATE**
HSBC Arena is the quietest full arena I’ve been in in a long, long time. The Thrashers lead 3-1 after the second period. Shots are 23-22 Atlanta.
- Kovalchuk has four shots.
- Afinogenov has three shots.
- Peverley is now 12-2 in the faceoff circle.
- Colby Armstrong has four hits, three of which came in the second period.
- Nik Antropov has three hits.
**UPDATE**
Third period about to start. Reasoner line is on the ice.
**UPDATE**
I’m going to be honest. Every time I see big #16 for the Thrashers I have to remind myself that it’s not Bobby Holik. It’ll probably be that way for another few games. Schubert is a better skater, so he’s doing what he can to remind me that he’s not the former captain.
**UPDATE**
The Thrashers have shifted to playing safer hockey and while they haven’t completely taken their foot off the gas pedal the goal is definitely to protect the 3-1 lead. Shots are now 31-24 Sabres. Ilya Kovalchuk won’t pass up a chance for a hat trick though, so don’t count on this being the final score.
**UPDATE**
Crucial point in the game. Schubert off for boarding with 10 minutes left. A Sabres goal here makes it a tight game.
**UPDATE**
The Thrashers have one shot in the third period to Buffalo’s 14. Hedberg is a rock tonight.
**UPDATE**
Thrashers are back on the PK. Antropov is off for cross-checking. 4:27 remaining in the third period.
**UPDATE**
Sabres score on the PP. I believe it was Stafford.
And 17 seconds later Afinogenov abused Tyler Myers to make it 4-2. Kozlov and Hedberg with assists.
that was a sweet pp goal!!!
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Great game blog Ben! What an exciting way to start the season! Wish we were still in Atlanta!!
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About the shots on goal. Moose still faced 42 over all to their facing 27. That is too much difference. last night was the best I had seen in a long time Pav’s faced 30 to their 25. I could not see tonights game but last night NJ was there to block shots consistantly from getting to the goal.
Exciting game. This is going to be a fun season.
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