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Panthers seek to avert fourth straight shutout loss vs. Thrashers

Dec 2, 2006 - 4:34 PM Atlanta (16-7-4) at Florida (8-14-5) 7:30 pm EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) - It's bad enough the Florida Panthers are on a losing streak. They have also forgotten what it feels to score a goal.

The Panthers try to end their five-game skid and avoid their fourth consecutive shutout loss Saturday when they face the Atlanta Thrashers for the second time in eight days.

Florida has been blanked five times this season and has not scored since Gary Roberts netted a pair of power-play tallies in a 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on November 24. The Panthers have been turned away on their last 14 opportunities with the man advantage.

After back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Atlanta and the Montreal Canadiens, Florida was stopped on all 31 shots in Thursday's 6-0 loss to the Senators.

The Thrashers have posted three consecutive victories, including shutouts over Florida and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Atlanta has a five-point edge over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Southeast Division.

After Bobby Holik scored in overtime for the Thrashers in Tuesday's triumph over the New York Rangers, Marion Hossa recorded a hat trick and Kari Lehtonen made 36 saves as Atlanta snapped an eight-game drought against Toronto with Thursday's 5-0 win.

The Thrashers have won all three meetings over the Panthers this season - with two shutouts - and are 8-2-1 against them in their last 11 encounters.