Thrashers-Senators Preview

Trailing early in games doesn't?t seem to be much of a problem for the Atlanta Thrashers. Falling behind against the Ottawa Senators may yield a different result.

Atlanta looks to avenge an earlier road loss at Ottawa on Monday night after overcoming two-goal deficits to win its last two games.

The Thrashers scored four goals in the third period Saturday to beat the New York Islanders 5-4. Bryan Little, who was centering a faceoff, scored the short-handed game-winner with 8:25 left in the third period on a wrist shot immediately after the puck was dropped.

"I tried to make it seem like I was going to win (the faceoff) back,?" Little said. "?I was trying to put it on net, to get a shot, and ended up getting a good bounce on it.?"

Defenseman Johnny Oduya scored his first two goals of the season in a 78-second span early in the third period to help the Thrashers win for the ninth time in 11 games.

That stretch for Atlanta (16-11-3) includes last Monday'?s 3-2 overtime win against Nashville as the Thrashers scored three unanswered goals. Atlanta is tied for second in the NHL with eight come-from-behind victories.

"We?'ve had a number of comeback wins this season, which has been good,"? coach Craig Ramsay said. ?"We fell behind and we didn't?t quit. I thought our goaltender played really solid."?

Chris Mason made 25 saves and has won four of his last five starts. His lone loss in that stretch came Nov. 9 against the Senators, who chased Mason after scoring four goals on 14 shots in their 5-2 victory.

Ondrej Pavelec is 3-1-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average in his last five appearances against Ottawa, which has won six of eight at home against the Thrashers.

The Senators (13-16-2) ended a two-game skid Friday with a 3-2 victory against New Jersey. The Senators improved to 11-1-0 when leading after two periods and they picked up just their fourth victory in their last 14 games (4-9-1).

"Any win we?'ll take right now,"? coach Cory Clouston said. ?"We looked fatigued going into the third.

"It'?s just a matter of finishing off,?" he added. "?We'?ve been in games, and fortunately for us tonight we finished it off and got the two points. We?'ve got to build on that."?

Leading scorer Daniel Alfredsson was held without a point for his career-worst 10th straight game, but he has 40 points in 34 career games against the Thrashers.

Erik Karlsson scored his first goal in 12 games and also added an assist.

Pascal Leclaire made 29 saves for his second win in six starts, but Brian Elliott was in net for Ottawa's earlier victory over Atlanta.

Elliott, though, is 1-5-1 with a 3.44 GAA since Nov. 15.