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Capitals-Thrashers Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 2:58 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Washington (7-2-2) at Atlanta (4-3-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Ilya Kovalchuk's two-goal performance last week against the Capitals wasn't enough to keep the Atlanta Thrashers from losing a third straight to Washington.

After suffering an injury that will keep him sidelined for the next three to five weeks, Kovalchuk won't get the chance to help his team in the latest meeting between the Southeast Division rivals.

The Thrashers return to the ice Thursday night for the first time since losing their best player as they host Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, winners of five straight.

Kovalchuk, who has scored 40 or more goals in each of the last five seasons for Atlanta (4-3-1), was off to another good start with nine goals and one assist, scoring twice in a 5-4 loss to Washington last Thursday.

Kovalchuk was on the ice for less than four minutes Saturday, though, before breaking a bone in his right foot.

"Obviously you cannot replace Kovy, so it's going to take a team effort to do it," goalie Johan Hedberg told the Thrashers' official Web site.

Atlanta now faces the task of trying to end a three-game losing streak to the Capitals (7-2-2) without their biggest offensive threat. After losing Kovalchuk on Saturday, Atlanta fell 4-3 to San Jose, unable to complete a rally from a 3-0 deficit.

Kovalchuk, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July, has been relatively durable over the last few years, missing three games in each of the last two seasons and playing all 82 contests in 2006-07. After he was injured Saturday, rookie Evander Kane, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, stepped into Kovalchuk's spot on the team's first line. Rich Peverley will also be expected to take on a bigger role. He is second on Atlanta with five goals and is tied with Kovalchuk with 10 points.

"I want them to understand it's not OK to say 'poor us.' It's not about that," coach John Anderson said. "All those other teams - they don't (care) about us. They're happy this happened."

Anderson's team has lost three straight overall and has dropped five of six against Washington. The Thrashers kept Ovechkin in check last week, holding him without a point, but they gave up three goals in an 88-second stretch in the third period en route to the loss.

Ovechkin, who has 11 goals and eight assists this season, has been held scoreless in only two games. He scored twice in a 4-2 win over visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Washington trailed 2-0 in the second period before Ovechkin tallied his first of the night. Alexander Semin, who missed the previous two games, scored the tiebreaking goal 5:24 into the third period, and Ovechkin added an empty-netter in the final seconds.

Goaltender Jose Theodore had another solid game, finishing with 41 saves to win his second start after missing the previous two with back spasms.

"He has been awesome," captain Chris Clark told the Capitals' official Web site. "The times that we do make mistakes, the times that we let pucks squeak into the slot, he's been there to save them."

Theodore was not available when the Capitals beat the Thrashers last week. He is 5-2-0 with a 2.42 goals-against average in eight starts in Atlanta.

Ovechkin's 23 goals, 26 assists and 49 points against the Thrashers are his highest totals against any opponent.