The express train to the playoffs that the Thrashers seemed to be on just 10 days ago has slowed down in the last four games. Atlanta has fallen from second in the Eastern Conference to seventh with 44 points. Since Dec. 21, they have gained only one point. After battling back-and-forth with Washington for first place in the Southeast Division for a few games, the Capitals now have a five-point advantage.
Coach Craig Ramsay has questioned his team’s effort during the four-game skid. “We just didn’t have enough fire. We have to create that,” he said after a 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay. “We just didn’t play hard enough.”
It looked like Atlanta played hard against Pittsburgh, but the result was similar, a 6-3 loss. Evander Kane put the Thrashers on top 1-0, just 47 seconds into the first period. After a goal from Sidney Crosby tied it, the always reliable Dustin Byfuglien scored his team-leading 14th goal of the season to regain the lead. Ultimately, it was Sidney Crosby’s night, as he tallied four points in leading the Penguins to victory.
It was going to be tough to beat Pittsburgh no matter what, so the Thrashers should not feel to bad about falling to the hottest team in the league. However, if Atlanta wants to reach the level that the Penguins are at, they will have to beat them at some point. Pittsburgh has won all three meetings this season.
The silver lining…
Dustin Byfuglien has continued to play lights out in the month of December. He was one of the players of the month in the NHL in November and has produced again this month. The brawny defensemen has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) since December 2. Captain Andrew Ladd summed up what Dustin means to the team earlier this year. “I don’t think there is anyone else in the league with his size, skating ability, and skill. When he’s going top speed there’s no one that can stop him. He’s a pretty special player and we’re lucky to have him.”
Defensemen Zach Bogosian scored his first goal in nine games when he put a shot past Tampa Bay’s Dan Ellis. After the game he credited the goal to his mom and the haircut that she made him get while he was home for Christmas. It was his third goal of the season and maybe the haircut will make him a little faster on the ice.
Despite the losing, there is good news, and that is that there are 43 games remaining in the regular season and a lot can happen in that period of time. Atlanta will have a chance to get back on track against Boston on Thursday. The Bruins beat the Thrashers 4-1 last week and the two teams have split the two games played this season.
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