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Skrastins to set NHL record for playing streak by a defenseman

Feb 8, 2007 - 3:19 PM Atlanta (29-18-9) at Colorado (26-23-4) 9:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- Colorado Avalanche blue-liner Karlis Skrastins is on the verge of a major milestone for endurance.

Skrastins will set a league record for consecutive games by a defenseman Thursday when the Avalanche host the Atlanta Thrashers.

The 32-year-old Skrastins is slated to play his 487th straight contest to surpass the mark set by Tim Horton from February 11, 1961-February 4, 1968. He began the streak February 21, 2000 with the Nashville Predators.

Skrastins has six assists in 53 games this season and has a long way to go to reach the overall league mark of 964 consecutive contests set by Doug Jarvis from 1975-1987.

Colorado is coming off Tuesday's 5-4 overtime triumph over the Florida Panthers. Captain Joe Sakic netted the game-winner in the extra period to move within three goals of becoming the 17th player to reach 600.

The Thrashers have dropped three in a row and four of their last five. They will be looking to again clinch their third consecutive 30-win season in their first visit here since February 27, 2003.

Atlanta extended its losing streak with Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 31st goal and captain Scott Mellanby added a power-play tally in the third period.

Opening a six-game road swing, the Thrashers are 15-9-4 away from home and have a five-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division.