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Penguins look to bounce back vs. Thrashers

Nov 20, 2008 - 11:25 AM Pittsburgh (11-4-3) at Atlanta (7-8-2) 7:00 p.m. EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins boast the most prolific offense in the Eastern Conference. They just need to find it again.

The Penguins will be looking to bounce back from a rare loss when they face the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday.

Pittsburgh built a six-game winning streak on that offense, averaging six goals per game. The attack was stymied Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild in a 2-1 shootout loss.

Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were held to a total of two shots on goal by the Wild.

While Minnesota has allowed the fewest goals in the NHL, the Thrashers are the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference when it comes to keeping the opposing team out of the net.

Atlanta has been a team of streaks, following up a six-game slide with a five-game winning streak before losing at Philadelphia on Sunday, 4-3.

Even in the good times the back line of the defense has been suspect, with goaltenders Johan Hedberg and Kari Lehtonen posting 4.04 and 3.44 goals-against averages, respectively.

Vyacheslav Kozlov has been leading the way for the Thrashers' offense, scoring seven goals over the last eight games.