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Reeling Thrashers look for spark against Panthers

Nov 2, 2008 - 2:00 PM Florida (4-5-1) at Atlanta (2-7-2), 5:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Wins have been hard to come by for the Atlanta Thrashers. Luckily for them, the Florida Panthers have been mired in a slump as well.

Losers of six straight and nine of their last 10, the reeling Thrashers hope for a spark when they host the Panthers on Sunday.

Ever since its 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals in the regular season opener, Atlanta has been caught in a downward spiral. Due to lackluster defense and a snoozing offense, the Thrashers have one win since October 10 - and that came in a 3-2 shootout against the Buffalo Sabres eight days later.

They have been outscored, 16-3, over their last three games - including a 6-1 drubbing by the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Goaltender Johan Hedberg started in place of the ill Kari Lehtonen and was the main culprit in the Devils' five-goal outburst in the second period.

Perhaps Atlanta's misery can be traced to the mild struggles of Ilya Kovalchuk, who has just three tallies through 11 games. Last season, the superstar netted 52 goals - including nine through November 1.

Also scrambling for answers in the early stages of the season, Florida has dropped three straight games. It suffered a deflating 3-2 loss in a shootout against the Nashville Predators on Saturday after blowing a 2-1 lead after the second period.

Rostislav Olesz and defenseman Karlis Skrastins netted goals, while Craig Anderson made 30 saves for the Florida, which began a five-game road trip. However, Martin Erat scored a game-tying goal in the third period and provided the lone tally in the exhibition to propel Nashville.