We hit a rather low spot just last week, with 2 losses in a row at home, and the horrid 18 shot performance to start it, everyone was hopeful to see a completely different meeting with the Sabres for the second time in 4 games.
We seemed to have had a problem getting the game going, only getting 6 shots on goal for the first period, but luckily the Thrashers were able to move forward with a little pep talk from Brent Sopel during the first intermission to bring them back with a fire that would carry them through the beginning of the 3rd period.
Hopes grew weak again when the Sabres were able to tie the game with just 8 seconds left in the game. Dustin Byfuglien had an amazing play taking the puck from one end of the ice to the other to clinch the win in overtime, taking the Thrashers to a 4-3 win.
Last night, the Thrashers took on the St.Louis Blues, with a goalie who hadn’t allowed a goal past him for over 7 periods. In the first period, not only did the Thrashers break that streak, score first and finally witness a goal from Rich Peverley but we also scored 2 more goals all within the first and kept the Blues to only one. Unfortunately, McClement was apparently due a hat trick and proceeded as planned bring this game into overtime as well. The Thrashers lost this one in a shoot out.
While the Thrashers are a new team, completely re-learning each other, new management and new coaching, the inconsistencies seem to be gradually getting worked through with each game. Even with our losses, we are currently the highest goal scoring Eastern Conference team (though we are also the highest in our conference with goals scored against us as well). We currently sit in the middle of of our division with 12 points, Tampa leading with 15 and the Caps right behind them with 14. Despite all of our problems, we are definitely portraying a team that is working hard and bringing everything together.