Could Ilya Kovalchuk's Missed Time Turn Out Better for the Thrashers?

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OK, so I know one game is not an adequate sample size to judge a trend, statistic, or any measurable entity, but last night I saw a Thrashers team that exuded confidence like none before.

Hear me out.

The Thrashers grabbed the lead 19 seconds into the first period and never looked back. They attacked the net without fear and scored goals we Thrasher fans are so accustomed to watching being scored on us.

Examples: Evander Kane converting the steal by Rich Peverley to get us up by two, Ilya Kovalchuk literally walking around on the weak side of the power-play and shelfing the puck, and Peverley banking a shot off a defender for a power-play goal.

I'm not used to seeing this as a Thrashers fan, but man I can get used to games like this. The Thrashers have a sense of confidence about them that came about only when Kovalchuk committed himself to this team when he was injured.

"They told me I couldn't hurt it anymore, so I decided to go," Kovalchuk said while sporting a walking boot after the game.

Having the captain back made this team come alive, and I honestly can't remember the last time I saw D-men leading the rush in front of the forwards (Mr. Christoph Schubert seems to like playing left wing). It also brought back the physical side of the Thrashers that has been absent lately. Zach Bogosian's hit on Ryan Callahan that spurred the fight was great, and even better was the 19-year-old's quick disposal of him in the fight.

We Thrashers fans have a lot of fun to look forward to in the near future; now only if we could get the Kahlua line up and going again, then we will be a force.

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