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Nov 21, 2009 3:13 pm US/Eastern

Penguins Vs. Thrashers Preview

Orpik Expected To Return To Lineup

Pittsburgh Penguins Blog

By: Casey Shea
ATLANTA (KDKA) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Evgeni Malkin registered 13 points against the Atlanta Thrashers in four games last season.
Elsa/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to shake off their blow-out loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers tonight on the road.

The Pens won all four games against Atlanta last season and will look to pick up a fifth straight win over the Thrashers, who have won four of their last five and haven't lost in regulation since Nov. 7.

Currently Rich Peverley is leading the Thrashers with 23 points, (eight goals, 15 assists), but superstar Ilya Kovalchuk (13 goals, eight assists) is hot on his heels despite missing six games with a broken bone in his foot.

The Thrashers (10-6-2) are currently third in the Southeast Division with 22 points and only trail second place Tampa Bay by one point.

Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (6-5-2, 2.89 GAA, .918 save percentage) has gotten the majority of the starts this season after Kari Lehtonen was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 14 following back surgery.

In his career, Pavelec has started against the Pens three times and has struggled mightily. Pavelec is 0-3 with a 5.30 GAA and .833 save percentage against Pittsburgh.

However, Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid against the Thrashers in his career posting a 7-3 record with a 2.32 GAA and .916 save percentage. He also has one shutout.

Evgeni Malkin tore up the Thrashers in four games last season by registering 13 points (four goals, nine assists).

His status against the Senators on Thursday was a game-time decision because he is dealing with back spasms.

However, Brooks Orpik is expected to return to the lineup after suffering a hip injury against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 10.

The puck dops at 7 p.m. and can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh.