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Thursday, November 25, 1999
Thrashers no pushover
The Senators want to avoid falling prey to the Expansion Trap during tonight's game in Atlanta.
The Thrashers, a first-year team with just five wins in 19 games, might seem like easy pickings for a team like the Senators, but that's not the way Ottawa looks at the situation.
In fact, the Senators are the ones feeling vulnerable these days. They aren't scoring many goals, and are trying to break out of a three-game losing skid.
Coach Jacques Martin is making sure his players think again if there's any thought that meeting the Thrashers is the perfect remedy to end the slump.
Perhaps that's what the Vancouver Canucks believed before the Thrashers punted them 6-3 earlier this week.
"We've got to come out and play hard," said Martin. "They just had a big win Monday night, and I'm sure they're pretty confident."
TOUGH WIN
In the first meeting Oct. 31 between the teams in Atlanta, rookie Mike Fisher scored his first NHL goal during the game's opening minute, against former Ottawa goalie Damian Rhodes, but the Senators were forced to battle for a 6-4 victory.
"They scored six goals the other night and they scored four against us in a 6-4 win. Obviously, a big part is not taking them lightly," said Ron Tugnutt, who starts in net for Ottawa tonight.
"We can't think that we're going to run the score up. I think we have to play a good, strong game at both ends of the ice to have a chance to win."
Defenceman Wade Redden admitted the Senators have been substandard lately and need a solid effort against Atlanta to get out of the funk.
"They've got guys that are there because they compete, they care and they work hard," said Redden. "That's usually what teams look for when they're picking expansion players.
"It's important for us to get back to doing the things we do well. We have to play our best if we're going to beat anybody in this league."
The Thrashers haven't named a starting goalie yet for tonight's game. Rhodes and back-up Norm Maracle are injured, each with mild ankle sprains. Rookie Scott Langkow started the last three Atlanta games, including the win over Vancouver.
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