Watch Edmonton Oilers vs Atlanta Thrashers Live Online

Watch Edmonton Oilers vs Atlanta Thrashers Live Online

In matchups with the Edmonton Oilers, though, it’s easy to wonder if there has been something wrong with him. Kovalchuk, on one of his best stretches of the season for the Thrashers despite lingering injury issues, looks to end his struggles against the Oilers on Sunday.

Atlanta (9-6-1) managed to go 3-3-0 with Kovalchuk sidelined due to a broken bone in his foot, but his return has sparked the Thrashers’ best two-game stretch offensively this season. The All-Star left wing had two goals and two assists in Atlanta’s 7-0 win over Los Angeles on Friday night, one day after posting a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers in his first game back.

Kovalchuk didn’t return after suffering an upper-body injury in the first period of Atlanta’s 4-3 win at Edmonton March 12, the teams’ only meeting last season. He has played at least 18 minutes in his other six matchups with the Oilers (8-9-2), but has been held to one goal and no assists overall. Maxim Afinogenov, in his first season with Atlanta after signing as a free agent in September, has two goals and an assist in his last two games against Edmonton. He was a big part of the Thrashers’ win over the Kings, matching Kovalchuk with two goals and two assists.