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Thrashers-Panthers Preview

Jan 18, 2010 - 5:15 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Atlanta (21-19-7) at Florida (20-20-8), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Thrashers and Florida Panthers are nearly out of contention for the Southeast Division title, but some recent solid play has both clubs in the thick of the playoff race.

Only one team will be able to improve its chances Monday night when they meet in Florida.

The Thrashers (21-19-7) are second in the Southeast, one point ahead of the third-place Panthers (20-20-8). However, they're 17 points behind Washington, which appears bound for a third consecutive division title.

While the Southeast crown appears to be out of reach for both teams, Atlanta is tied with Philadelphia for 10th in the Eastern Conference, one point shy of Montreal and the New York Islanders for the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Thrashers, who have won three of five following a season-high nine-game slide, are trying to capitalize on a seven-game stretch in which none of their opponents currently occupy a playoff position.

They opened that stretch with a 5-3 win at NHL-worst Carolina on Saturday, as Ilya Kovalchuk scored 43 seconds after Atlanta squandered a two-goal lead in the third period.

"It's the new NHL, the last five years, and no lead's safe, especially a two-goal lead on the road," said center Jim Slater, who had one goal and one assist. "I thought we played good, we had good chances, we got to the front of the net and we had control of the game."

Kovalchuk has three goals and three assists in the last three games after going a season-high three contests without a point. The left wing is among the league leaders with 28 goals and 53 points.

A member of Russia's team for next month's Olympics, Kovalchuk has thrived in 47 career games against Florida, netting 31 goals and totaling 59 points - his highest point total against any opponent. He's scored a goal in each of the last three meetings, and has six goals and four assists in nine games at BankAtlantic Center.

The Thrashers have won two of three against the Panthers this season, but dropped the last matchup 4-3 at Florida on Dec. 16 when Michael Frolik scored with 1:41 to play.

The Panthers are seeking their fourth three-game winning streak of the season after dropping seven of their previous 10.

They broke out of that funk by winning 3-2 at Tampa Bay on Thursday, then swept the home-and-home set from the Lightning with Saturday's 5-2 victory. Tomas Vokoun spurred both wins by totaling 74 saves, with 21 of his 47 on Saturday coming in the third period.

"Vokoun was great, especially early in the third," Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. "The first 5 minutes of the third we got on our heels and he made some big saves and shut the door."

Vokoun has won four of his last six starts at home, including a 20-save performance against the Thrashers on Dec. 16. He's 5-2-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average in eight home matchups with Atlanta since joining the Panthers for the 2007-08 season.

Florida is expected to have Stephen Weiss back in the lineup after he played only 5:34 of Saturday's win before a nagging lower-body injury forced him to exit the contest. The center leads the Panthers with 19 goals, but has only one in the last 10 games.

He's scored in each meeting with Atlanta this season.