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On the verge of first playoff appearance, Thrashers face Bruins

Mar 31, 2007 - 1:25 PM Atlanta (40-27-11) at Boston (35-36-6) 1:00 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Thrashers have never made the playoffs in their seven-year existence. That could all change with a strong final week of the season.

The Thrashers hold a five-point lead over Tampa Bay (41-32-4) for first place in the Southeast Division and travel to Boston on Saturday with a chance to increase their lead.

Atlanta (40-27-11) set a franchise record for points Thursday with a 3-2 overtime win over Toronto, topping last season's 90 points. The Thrashers can tie the record for wins with a victory over the Boston Bruins.

Winning the Southeast would give the Thrashers the third seed in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Thrashers used a 3-2 victory over the Bruins February 26 to jump start a 9-4-1 stretch. Slava Kozlov has been a thorn in the side of the Bruins this season, tallying eight points in three games this season - all Thrashers wins.

Boston was eliminated from playoff contention Thursday after losing six of seven to drop into last place in the Northeast Division.

The Bruins could still effect the playoff race with their five remaining games against potential playoff teams Atlanta, New Jersey, Montreal, Buffalo, and Ottawa.