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Blackhawks look to get back on the winning track, face Thrashers

Oct 27, 2007 - 1:56 PM Atlanta (2-8-0) at Chicago (5-5-0) 8:30 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks hope to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.

After Chicago was pounded, 7-4, by Columbus on Tuesday, the Blackhawks dropped a 3-1 road decision to Boston on Thursday. In that game, enforcer David Koci re-broke his nose in a bloody brawl with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. The game had to be stopped for several minutes as more ice was added to the rink to cover up Koci's blood.

On Friday, the 6-6, 238-pound Koci was put injured reserve.

Nikolai Khabibulin was in net for the Blackhawks during those two losses, and has allowed three or more goals in four straight starts. However, the 12-year veteran is 6-3-0 with two ties against Atlanta.

The Thrashers, who started 2007-08 by losing their first six, had won two of three before suffering a 3-0 blanking in Nashville on Thursday. Atlanta, which has been shutout three times in 10 games, is among the worst in the league in goals scored (20) and allowed (43).

One of the few members of the team that has provided an offensive spark is left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, who has five goals and nine points this season. No one else on the roster has more than two tallies.

The Thrashers are 0-2 all-time in Chicago.