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Hurricanes-Thrashers Preview

Jan 21, 2010 - 4:38 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Carolina (14-27-7) at Atlanta (22-20-7), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Thrashers have already defeated the Carolina Hurricanes twice on the road, and Ilya Kovalchuk has been a main reason behind that success.

Kovalchuk will try to continue his scoring surge Thursday night when the Southeast Division rivals meet for the first time this season in Atlanta.

A member of the Russian Olympic team, Kovalchuk had a goal and assist in a five-goal third period en route to a 6-4 win over Carolina on Nov. 27. Facing the Hurricanes again Saturday, he notched the game-winning goal midway through the third, and assisted on Nik Antropov's empty-netter in the 5-3 victory.

In his last home game against Carolina on Feb. 28, Kovalchuk tied a single-game career-high for points with two goals and three assists in the 5-3 win. He's scored 31 goals - including six game-winners - with 27 assists in 46 career games versus the Hurricanes.

Kovalchuk will try to build off one of his best outings this season after recording his first two-goal game since Nov. 13 with an assist Tuesday in a 4-3 win over Toronto. He's now reached 30 goals for the seventh consecutive season.

"That was the best game I've seen Kovy play in two weeks," Atlanta coach John Anderson said. "I guess he felt good. He always plays good, but that was something special."

Though the Thrashers (22-20-7) are a distant second to Washington in the Southeast race, they're in a three-way tie for ninth in the Eastern Conference, and just five points behind fifth-place Ottawa.

The Hurricanes, who have lost three straight and have a league-low 35 points, aren't the only upcoming opponent that will give the Thrashers a chance narrow that gap. After beating the Maple Leafs, who have the East's second-worst record, Atlanta on Saturday will face Tampa Bay, which has the third-fewest points in the conference.

"Before the Olympics, we have to be in the playoffs," Kovalchuk said. "We have a lot of home games in March. It's a good schedule for us, so we have to hang in there before the Olympics."

Atlanta hasn't won back-to-back games since Dec. 12 and 14 against Montreal and the New York Rangers, respectively.

Carolina (14-27-7) rallied twice against the Lightning on Tuesday, but fell 3-2 for its third straight loss.

"I was surprised because I felt pretty darn good, and we had a lot more action off our rush the past two games," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. "But when you move that slow and move the puck that slow, it's going to happen."

Matt Cullen scored as did Chad LaRose in his first game back after missing 17 with a lower-body injury.

This will be Carolina's first game since Eric Staal took over as captain Wednesday for Rod Brind'Amour, who was demoted to alternate. Staal, who's had three assists against Atlanta this season, is second on the team with 33 points.

Should he start, Cam Ward will try again for his 130th win to tie Arturs Irbe's franchise record. Ward is 9-18-5 with a 2.92 goals-against average this season, but 3-9-3 with a 3.24 GAA on the road.

In 11 career games at Philips Arena, Ward is 8-3-0 with a 3.23 GAA.