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Atlanta 4, New Jersey 2

ATLANTA, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Rookie Ilya Kovalchuk scored the game-winning goal early in the third period Thursday night to give the Atlanta Thrashers their first victory over the New Jersey Devils, 4-2.

The first overall pick in 2001, Kovalchuk beat defenseman Scott Stevens in the neutral zone and skated in on a two on one with fellow rookie Dany Heatley.

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Kovalchuk kept the puck, made a move to freeze backup goaltender J.F. Damphousse, then wristed the puck between his pads 48 seconds into third.

Entering the contest, Atlanta had gone 0-8-1 against the Devils.

Milan Hnilicka made 45 saves and improved to 4-2-1 in his last seven starts.

With Atlanta holding on to a 3-2 lead in the final minute of play, he made a save on Valeri Kamensky's point-blank shot and covered the puck.

Moments later, Tony Hrkac struck with an empty-net goal to cap the scoring.

New Jersey carried a 2-0 lead into the second period on goals by Kamensky and Bobby Holik. But Atlanta came back to tie it on tallies by Pascal Rheaume and Jeff Odgers.

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