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Islanders-Thrashers Preview

Dec 2, 2009 - 10:01 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (10-10-7) at Atlanta (14-7-3), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Thrashers signed Maxim Afinogenov in the offseason hoping he can remain healthy to add depth to a team seeking just its second playoff berth in 10 seasons. He certainly has them headed on the right track.

Fresh off a clutch performance to extend the Thrashers' winning streak, Afinogenov will try to continue his scoring surge Thursday night when the New York Islanders visit Philips Arena.

Afinogenov spent his first nine seasons with Buffalo, battling various injuries but helping the Sabres reach the Eastern Conference finals twice. A groin injury hampered him for most of last season, and he managed just six goals and 14 assists in 48 games, as his production continued to drop from his career-high 73-point season in 2005-06.

Despite the right wing's injury history and scoring drop-off, the Thrashers (14-7-3) signed him to a one-year contract as they attempted to compile a roster that could help them return to the playoffs. The only time Atlanta has reached the postseason since joining the NHL in 1999 came in 2006-07.

The move has certainly paid off, as Afinogenov is second on the team with 11 goals and 25 points while playing in all 24 games. Atlanta is second in the Southeast Division and among the top six in the East.

Afinogenov came up big Monday, scoring with 5.5 seconds to play to clinch a 4-3 win over Florida to extend the Thrashers' winning streak to four games. They haven't won five in a row since a six-game run from March 6-16.

"It's a lot of fun, winning the game and being here, playing with these guys," said Afinogenov, who has eight goals and six assists in the last 10 games. "It's unbelievable... I just try to do my job and put my best effort where I can in the game."

His outstanding play has keyed Atlanta, 8-1-2 in its last 11 games, averaging a league-leading 3.46 goals per game.

"He's been a great surprise for us. It's like he's got a new lease on life being here and we're glad to have him," coach John Anderson said.

Afinogenov has six goals and 13 assists in his last 14 games against the Islanders (10-10-7), including two assists in a 6-3 loss at New York on Nov. 7.

The Islanders have dropped four of six and are looking to rebound from Saturday's 6-1 defeat at New Jersey. In the third period, they gave up four goals while managing just four shots.

"The third period is the game, most of the time," said Martin Biron, who made 36 saves. "That was the difference (Saturday). It's our own wrong doing. When we don't do the right things, it's going to happen. We got lucky earlier in the game, they hit a few posts. If you keep playing with fire, you're going to get burned."

That loss was the first of four straight road games for New York, which is 1 for 28 on the power play in its last seven contests overall.

John Tavares is going through a tough stretch, with one goal and one assist over the last six games following a five-game point streak. The center still leads all rookies with 10 goals and 21 points, including two assists in the last matchup with Atlanta.