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Thrashers hope to stay hot against Maple Leafs

Jan 7, 2011 - 4:23 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Thrashers will try to win three in a row for the first time since they tied a franchise-record winning streak earlier this season, as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Philips Arena.

Atlanta recorded wins recently in Montreal and Florida to complete a three- game road trip. The Thrashers, who went 7-6-3 in December, last won three straight during a six-game winning streak from Nov. 19-30.

After recording an overtime win over the Canadiens on Sunday, the Thrashers visited Florida on Wednesday and claimed a close regulation decision over the Panthers.

Rich Peverley scored a pair of goals and Ondrej Pavelec stopped 33 shots as Atlanta nipped Florida, 3-2, at BankAtlantic Center.

"I thought we did a pretty good job of managing the game, obviously," said Peverley. "We had a pretty good second period keeping the puck in their zone and making the most of our chances."

Niclas Bergfors also tallied and Andrew Ladd posted a pair of assists for the Thrashers, who have won three of four on the heels of a four-game losing streak.

The Thrashers played their second straight game without forward Jim Slater, who suffered a concussion in Atlanta's loss to New Jersey on New Year's Eve. Slater, who was injured when he collided with teammate Dustin Byfuglien, is questionable for tonight's tilt.

Atlanta has lost three of its last five home games and is 11-7-3 as the host this season.

Toronto has won two of its last three games and is coming off Thursday's wild shootout victory over the visiting St. Louis Blues. The Maple Leafs blew a three-goal lead in the third period, but Tyler Bozak netted the game-winning goal in the shootout to lift Toronto the 6-5 victory at Air Canada Centre.

Phil Kessel scored twice for the Maple Leafs, who halted a four-game home skid, but will now head out on a four-game road trip. Toronto has won its last two road tests, but the Leafs still have a poor 6-10-1 record as the guest this season.

Colby Armstrong, Mikhail Grabovski and Kris Versteeg also scored in Thursday's victory, while Jonas Gustavsson ended with 39 saves for Toronto.

The Leafs grabbed a 5-2 advantage on Kessel's second marker at 1:51 of the third period, but St. Louis scored three unanswered goals to pull even with 6:39 remaining in regulation.

"We got really sloppy in the back end," Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said. "We were allowing them to get in the middle of the rink ... At least we found a way to get it to overtime and the shootout and get another point."

The Thrashers recorded a 6-3 victory when they faced the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Dec. 20. Atlanta has taken three of four and four of six overall in the series, but Toronto has won four of its last six at Philips Arena.