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Lehtonen goes for third straight shutout vs. Bruins

Oct 11, 2006 - 2:30 PM Boston (1-1-0) at Atlanta (2-0-1) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Kari Lehtonen looks like an early contender for the Vezina Trophy in the first week of the season.

Lehtonen looks to record his third consecutive shutout and set a record for the franchise's longest scoreless streak Wednesday when the Atlanta Thrashers host the Boston Bruins.

Coming off a 20-15-0 record in 38 games last season, the 22-year-old Lehtonen has not allowed a goal in 142 minutes, 42 seconds, which is less than 10 minutes shy of Michael Garrett's team mark.

After giving up two tallies in Atlanta's season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Lehtonen has been flawless. The Finn stopped all 22 shots against the Florida Panthers on Saturday before making 34 saves in Monday's 1-0 triumph over Tampa Bay.

Boston opened the season by giving up eight goals in Friday's defeat to the Panthers. However, the Bruins bounced back with Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Lightning.

Wayne Primeau netted his second goal of the campaign and Brad Boyes added his first in the opening session. Patrice Bergeron, who scored 31 tallies last season, knocked home the go-ahead goal at 1:39 of the third period for Boston.

The Thrashers have won the last two meetings against the Bruins, posting a 4-3 victory in their last matchup April 15. The teams split their four encounters last season.