Thrashers 4 - 5 Maple Leafs
Final
  for this game

Thrashers try to turn things around in Toronto

Feb 7, 2011 - 4:12 PM (Sports Network) - The slumping Atlanta Thrashers will try to turn things around when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for tonight's battle at Air Canada Centre.

Toronto and the Thrashers have played each other twice this season, and if the first two meetings are any indication of what to expect tonight, this should be an offensive affair.

Atlanta recorded a 6-3 win in Toronto on Dec. 20 and the Maple Leafs responded with a 9-3 road triumph over the Thrashers on Jan. 7. The Thrashers have taken three out of five in the series overall and two straight in Toronto.

The Thrashers have lost three straight since returning from the All-Star break and they have managed just two wins over their last 12 contests (2-6-4).

Atlanta needs to get back on track soon or risk falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. After losing an overtime decision at Carolina on Saturday, the Thrashers, who have 58 points, are tied with the Hurricanes for the eighth and final postseason seed in the East.

Toronto is 11 points behind Atlanta and the Hurricanes.

Erik Cole scored with 2:12 left in overtime to lift the Hurricanes to the 4-3 win. Despite that setback, Atlanta can take over sole possession of the eighth seed over idle Carolina tonight.

Zach Bogosian, Brent Sopel and Niclas Bergfors each lit the lamp for the Thrashers on Saturday and Ondrej Pavelec stopped 31 shots in defeat.

Atlanta did well to earn the point on Saturday, as Bogosian's goal tied the game 1:24 left in regulation. The tying goal came with Pavelec on the bench in favor of the extra attacker.

The Thrashers have been let down by their power play recently. The club was 0- for-6 on the man advantage on Saturday and Atlanta has scored just once on its last 18 power-play opportunities.

Atlanta has also lost two straight and four of its last five road games. The Thrashers are 12-10-5 as the visiting club this season.

Toronto, meanwhile, will try to rebound after Saturday's blowout loss in Buffalo. The Maple Leafs had won two in a row before getting slammed, 6-2, by the Sabres, who received two goals and an assist from Drew Stafford.

James Reimer, Toronto's rookie goaltender, let in five goals on 30 shots before being lifted for Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who made 12 saves the rest of the way. Giguere is expected to get the start tonight.

Toronto is 12-11-4 as the host this year and has won two straight and four out of six at ACC.






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