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Improved Islanders host Thrashers

Nov 4, 2006 - 4:45 PM Atlanta (9-3-3) at NY Islanders (6-4-2) 7:00 pm EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- After a sluggish start, the New York Islanders are playing some quality hockey.

The Islanders go for their fifth victory in their last six games when they host the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.

New York started slowly on its season-opening West Coast road trip, but has been playing good hockey lately in winning four of its last five and three straight.

The latest triumph was a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Jason Blake led the Islanders with a goal and two assists while Trent Hunter added a goal and an assist.

Goaltender Rick DiPietro has rebounded along with the team, only allowing seven goals in New York's last three wins.

The Thrashers used a three-goal spurt in the second period and got the winning tally from Steve Rucchin early in the third to post a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday.

Trailing, 2-0, late in the second, the Thrashers scored all three goals in 3:17.

Jon Sim started it when he took a pass from Ilya Kovalchuk and beat Washington goaltender Olaf Kolzig at 11:35. Defenseman Greg de Vries tied the game, 2-2, when his sharp-angle shot deflected off Washington defenseman Jamie Heward's skate and past Kolzig at 14:17. Slava Kozlov capped the outburst by poking in a rebound at 14:52 to put Atlanta ahead, 3-2.