Do The Thrashers Have Large Talons?

The impotent Leafs are in Atlanta tonight to face the Thrashers. The most burning question before the game tonight is: Why the fuck do people insist on referring to Atlanta as Hotlanta? It doesn't really even rhyme! It's hot in Atlanta - I get it - but can we fucking move on? You don't hear people from Houston calling it Hotston. Or Charlotte getting called Charlhot. Why? Because its fucking lame.

I guess in Atlanta it's especially hot in the 'hood.

Toronto is 2-5-3 in its past 10 games, including 0-3-1 since shutting out Ottawa just under 2 weeks ago.

Something needs to be said:
I really dislike the overtime/shootout losses (OTL) category, as it makes bad records seem more acceptable. Anyone that watches hockey today grew up in a time when that 3rd column was for ties (i.e. W-L-T rather than W-L-OTL). Obviously there are no longer tie games in the NHL, but the 3rd column has remained and has effectively skewed the idea of a .500 record.

A .500 record is supposed to denote a record of equal wins and losses. In the NHL, however, it means the same number of points as games played. There is a difference.

Buffalo's 11-11-1 record, for example, is called a .500 record in today's NHL, but really is not. Buffalo has won 11 games and lost 12, which equates to .478, not .500. New Jersey, on the other hand, is considered above .500, but their 12-10-2 record actually means they are exactly at .500 with 12 wins and 12 losses.

What this means to the Leafs is that their 2-5-3 record over the past 10 games is actually 2-8; their 0-3-1 losing streak is actually 0-4; and their 8-11-6 overall record is actually an 8-17 record. They are tied with Washington for the most losses in the NHL. Sure, they have a few more points than the Capitals, but lets not kid ourselves...the team is doing extremely poorly. The media talks of the Leafs being 3 games under .500 when they are actually 9 games under .500. It gives typical Leafs fans - incapable of thinking for themselves - a false sense of accomplishment and hope.

(I wonder if a team has ever made the playoffs after leading the league in losses this late into the season. It really doesn't seem likely.)

The Good News
Atlanta is on a 2 game losing streak wherein they haven't scored a goal, and they are 4-5-0 at home this year. Atlanta's penalty kill is dead last in the league at 72.6%, so this is a great opportunity for the Leafs to improve their powerplay. Atlanta's #1 goaltender Kari Lehtonen - recently activated from the injured reserve - is still on a conditioning stint and will not play. Expect Johan Hedberg to start.

The Bad News
Atlanta is 7-3-0 in their past 10, and this highly offensive team won't be shut out forever. Misters Kovalchuk & Hossa might have something to say about a 3rd straight defeat.