Slumping Kovalev aims to get back on track vs. Thrashers

Atlanta (8-12-3) at Montreal (13-6-4), 7:30 pm EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens have managed to stay
afloat with Alexei Kovalev struggling to find the back of the
net.

But the Canadiens would love to get the Russian right wing
rolling again when they host the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday.

Kovalev, who lead the team with 35 goals last season, is
currently on a 13-game goalless streak. He has five goals and
16 points with a minus-1 rating on the campaign.

Montreal's once-feared offense has gone the way of Kovalev over
the last month and that has been reflected in the standings.
The Canadiens are 5-5-3 over the 35-year-old's slump.

Defenseman Andrei Markov snapped a tie with 90 seconds left
Saturday to lift Montreal to a 3-2 triumph over the Buffalo
Sabres.

The Thrashers are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss
after suffering a 4-2 setback to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Tied with the division-rival Tampa Bay Lightning for last place
in the NHL, Atlanta is starting a three-game road trip.