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Joseph can post three straight shutouts vs. Thrashers

Jan 5, 2007 - 2:09 PM Phoenix (17-20-2) at Atlanta (24-12-6) 7:30 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Carolina Hurricanes could not solve Curtis Joseph on Thursday. Now it's the Atlanta Thrashers' turn.

After a milestone night, Joseph could record his third consecutive shutout for the Phoenix Coyotes, who go for their fifth straight victory with Friday's matchup against the Thrashers.

The 39-year-old Joseph made 29 saves for the Coyotes in Thursday's 2-0 triumph over the Hurricanes. The win moved him past Hall of Famer Jacques Plante and into fifth place on the league's all-time victories list (438).

Joseph trails another Hall of Famer, Terry Sawchuk, by nine wins for fourth place, behind Ed Belfour of the Florida Panthers, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy. Joseph's second shutout of the campaign was the 49th of his career.

Yanic Perreault scored his 12th goal and Ed Jovanovski added his sixth for Phoenix, which has won five of its last six and moved out of last place in the Pacific Division.

Playing the lone home game in a stretch of eight road games, Atlanta has won six of seven and leads Carolina in the race for first place in the Southeast Division.

Vyacheslav Kozlov scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and Marian Hossa added three assists for the Thrashers in Monday's 3-2 triumph over the Ottawa Senators.