Punch-less Panthers host Thrashers

(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Thrashers try to keep their momentum surge going tonight when they visit the snakebitten Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center.

Since a four-game skid, the Thrashers have won four of their last five (4-0-1) -- including three straight. On Thursday, Kari Lehtonen stopped 36 shots for his league-leading fourth shutout of the season to anchor a 5-0 win over Toronto at Philips Arena.

Marian Hossa recorded a hat trick and an assist and Scott Mellanby added a goal and two assists for the Thrashers, who snapped an eight-game losing streak against Toronto. Brad Larsen had the other goal and Slava Kozlov added four assists for Atlanta.

Hossa is tied for the NHL high with 39 points, with the Rangers' Jaromir Jagr, and leads the league in goals with 20, three ahead of the Rangers' Brendan Shanahan.

Kozlov, meanwhile, has five assists in his last two games after going five straight contests without a point.

The Thrashers, who have 36 points, are five ahead of second-place Carolina in the Southeast Division.

Atlanta will begin a three-game road trip tonight and will visit Toronto on Tuesday.

Florida, meanwhile, has lost five straight games (0-3-2), including Thursday's 6-0 loss in Ottawa. Ray Emery stopped 31 shots to stymie Florida,

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