(My Sportsbook) - The suddenly hot
Atlanta Thrashers will aim for their fifth straight victory tonight, when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at Philips Arena.
The Thrashers hadn't won back-to-back games this year before putting together their current four-game winning streak. Atlanta's most recent win came Sunday night in Carolina, but this is not a home-and-home series since the Hurricanes hosted Washington on Wednesday.
Marty Reasoner tallied twice and Ilya Kovalchuk picked up a goal and an assist as Atlanta topped Carolina, 5-2, at the RBC Center on Sunday.
Ron Hainsey and Jason Williams also lit the lamp for the Thrashers, while Johan Hedberg was solid in the victory, making 35 saves.
The victory over the 'Canes gave Atlanta its first four-game winning streak since December 18-23 of last season. Tonight, the Thrashers can put together five straight wins for the first time February 26-March 8, 2007.
The Thrashers also ended a five-game losing streak to Carolina, which has still taken six of the last nine encounters in this series. The Hurricanes have also won four in a row and seven of eight in Atlanta.
The Thrashers are 4-3-0 as the host team this season and have won two straight at Philips Arena.
Carolina, meanwhile, has lost two straight and three of its last four contests. The Hurricanes most recent setback came in a 5-1 rout by the visiting Capitals on Wednesday.
Washington's line of Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom combined for 12 points in the easy win at RBC Center. It was Carolina's second loss to the Caps in the span of a week and Washington was able to take over sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with the latest triumph. The Caps have 20 points on the year and Carolina has 18.
Scott Walker scored the lone goal for Carolina, while Michael Leighton stopped 32-of-37 shots in the loss.
The Hurricanes are 5-2-2 as the visiting team this season and, after tonight's test, will kick off a four-game homestand with Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay.
