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Maple Leafs look to build off offensive outburst

Jan 16, 2009 - 11:53 AM Toronto (17-21-6) at Atlanta (14-25-5), 7:30 p.m. EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs nearly squandered an impressive offensive showing. At this point, they'll take anything they can get.

Coming off a much-needed victory, the Maple Leafs hope to avoid a fifth loss in six games when they visit the lowly Atlanta Thrashers on Friday.

After blowing a four-goal bulge, Tomas Kaberle's power-play goal with 5:25 remaining in the third period snapped a tie as Toronto halted a four-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

The Maple Leafs held a 4-0 edge with less than five minutes to play in the second period, but goaltender Vesa Toskala did just enough to help them improve to 3-8-0 over the last 11 games.

The Thrashers have lost two games in a row and eight of 10. They also suffered their 12th loss in 14 home contests in a 3-2 setback to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who gave up seven goals in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Florida Panthers, dropped to 5-12-2 after stopping 27 shots against the offensively challenged Senators.

The third overall pick in June's draft, rookie defenseman Zach Bogosian skated in his first home game since breaking his leg October 28.