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Thrashers hope to move on against Islanders

Feb 28, 2008 - 1:35 PM NY Islanders (30-27-7) at Atlanta (29-31-4) 7:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Thrashers looked lost without Marian Hossa on Tuesday night. They'll try to put the pieces back together when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday.

Hossa, an All-Star right wing for the Thrashers this season, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Tuesday deadline along with Pascal Dupuis in exchange for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a first-round draft pick.

Atlanta attempted to work out a contract extension with Hossa, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, but the two sides never got close.

In their first game without Hossa, the Thrashers dropped a 5-1 decision Tuesday in Montreal. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals in the third period.

The Finnish netminder has had a rough season, ranking 36th among qualifying NHL goaltenders with a 2.90 goals-against average.

The Islanders have dropped two in a row after winning six straight to pull back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The two losses have both come against East playoff contenders.

Rick DiPietro has allowed four goals in each of the past two games.

With 67 points, New York is now four points behind the Buffalo Sabres (31-24-9) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

The Thrashers are 2-1-0 against the Islanders this season. One of Lehtonen's three shutouts this season came against New York on December 1.