NHL: Atlanta 4, Florida 1

SUNRISE, Fla., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Ilya Kovalchuk scored for the eighth time in four games Friday night in helping the Atlanta Thrashers win their third straight contest, 4-1 over Florida.

Ondrej Pavelec made 36 saves for the Thrashers, who have gone 7-3 under Don Waddell after an 0-6 start to the season. Those early struggles led to the dismissal of Coach Bob Hartley.

Florida's only goal came when Nathan Horton tied the game, 1-1, with his third goal of the season early in the third period.

Chris Thorburn grabbed a loose puck to the left side of the net moments later and beat Tomas Vokoun with what turned out to be the game-winner, sending the Panthers to their third loss in four games,

Kovalchuk's goal came with 5:16 to play and gave the Thrashers a 4-1 lead. He leads the league with 14 goals.