Philadelphia Flyers 5, Atlanta Thrashers 1
=================================
ATLANTA, GA -- Mark Recchi extended his point-scoring streak to eight games
with a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers registered five unanswered
goals in a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday. Recchi, who also
extended his assist streak to six games, netted his team-leading 11th power-
play goal with 7:06 left in the second period for a 2-1 lead. Recchi capped his
night with a third-period assist, giving him a club-best 32 assists and 52
points. John LeClair lengthened his point-scoring streak to eight games with
his 16th goal of the season and Antero Niittymaki, who triumphed in his NHL
debut with 19 saves against Washington on Wednesday, turned aside 20 shots for
Philadelphia, which has taken eight of its last 11 and leads the Eastern
Conference with 72 points. Pasi Nurminen dropped his third decision in as many
starts after allowing five goals on 31 shots. Serge Aubin tallied his first
goal in his last eight games for Atlanta, which has lost four straight and six
of its last seven.