• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Thornton, Cheechoo lead Sharks in showdown with Thrashers

Mar 22, 2007 - 1:52 PM San Jose (45-25-4) at Atlanta (39-25-10) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks seem to be clicking at the right time.

The surging Sharks hope to record at least a point for the 10th straight game Thursday when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Thornton has 17 points in his last nine games to vault himself into second in the NHL with 99 points, behind Sidney Crosby's 108. San Jose is 7-0-2 over that stretch.

The Sharks hope to carry momentum from Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Chicago. Jonathan Cheechoo tallied twice and Thornton added three assists for San Jose, which moved past idle Minnesota (43-24-7) for fifth place in the Western Conference.

The Thrashers have won eight of their last 10 contests, including Sunday's 4-3 overtime victory over Buffalo.

Keith Tkachuk netted the game-winning goal for the Thrashers, who climbed four points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning (40-30-4) for first place in the Southeast Division and third place in the Eastern Conference.

Thursday's contest marks the only meeting of the season between the two clubs.