Kovy the Downed, Penguin-Trouncing, and more

Well, that game against the Penguins was awesome, no? Glad to see Kovalchuk score again, not so glad to see him injured (if I see that Penguin in the street he's a DEAD MAN). And Jimmy Slater is obviously God.

Here's Craig Custance on Kovalchuk:

Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who injured his knee on Wednesday night against Pittsburgh, is undergoing an MRI Thursday afternoon. But the Thrashers said it is more of a precautionary measure and that Kovalchuk likely won't miss substantial time.


"He's a lot better today," said general manager and coach Don Waddell.

Waddell ruled Kovalchuk out for the weekend, so the forward will miss Friday's game against Buffalo and Saturday's game in Washington. Assuming the MRI comes back negative, Kovalchuk will be re-evaluated at the beginning of next week by team doctors. There's no swelling in his knee and he was walking without a limp.

"He's a great athlete and he's in great condition," Waddell said. "We know he wants to play."

And here's Custance on how the Thrashers will adjust this weekend.

Money quote:

"The Thrashers will most likely bring up Brett Sterling to play in Kovy’s spot, although Waddell said that hadn’t been decided yet for sure. The Wolves just returned to practice today after the AHL All-Star break. But Sterling would be the logical replacement for Kovalchuk for now, and Waddell indicated that’s what he would do."

Get well soon Czar. And congrats to all the Thrashers on that fabulous win.

One last note: did anyone else see that amazing save that Tobi Enstrom made IN Kari's net? Kari was godlike last night, but he nearly gave up a goal sometime in the second period (I think). The puck had glided past him and towards the net, but Enstrom reacted in a nanosecond and smacked it out of there. That's why he's a candidate for Rookie of the Year.