PITTSBURGH, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Thrashers broke out following three straight shutout losses with a 7-4 victory Saturday over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ilya Kovalchuk snapped an eight-game goal drought with a pair and Marc Savard added a goal and four assists for the Thrashers, who had not scored since a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 12.
Kovalchuk tied Columbus' Rick Nash for the NHL lead in goals, netting his 19th and 20th on wrist shots from the slot. He also set up power-play goals by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Savard.
Kozlov recorded a pair of goals with the man advantage, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead with 2:26 to go in the first period and finishing the scoring with 3:39 left in the game.
Savard scored Atlanta's other power-play goal and established a career high with five points.
Rookie Ryan Malone and Milan Kraft each had a goal and assist for the Penguins.
