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Thrashers make playoff debut against Rangers

Apr 12, 2007 - 2:37 PM NY Rangers (42-30-10) at Atlanta (43-28-11) 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference quarterfinals

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Thrashers play their first postseason game in franchise history Thursday when they face the New York Rangers in Game One of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

In the playoffs for the first time in their seven-year history, the Thrashers gained the third seed after winning the Southeast Division.

Despite never making the postseason, the Thrashers boast plenty of experience.

Thrashers coach Bob Hartley led Colorado to the championship in 2001, while Bobby Holik, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Greg de Vries and Jon Sim have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. Scott Mellanby has been to the Finals twice, but the captain still is searching for his first title.

Making their second straight playoff appearance after missing the postseason in seven straight seasons, the sixth-seeded Rangers enter with momentum after going 13-3-4 in their last 20 games.

The Rangers will have to contain winger Marian Hossa, who finished with 43 goals and 100 points. He also had his way against the Rangers, collecting eight points in four games during the regular season.

Atlanta took three of the four games against New York this season, with a pair of the wins coming in overtime.