NHL: Atlanta 2, Florida 1

ATLANTA, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Jim Slater and Ilya Kovalchuk scored goals 17 seconds apart in the third period to lift Atlanta past Florida, 2-1, Saturday night.

Michael Garnett made 27 saves for the Thrashers, who have won three straight games for the second time this season.

Nathan Horton had the lone goal for the Panthers, who saw their attempt to win three consecutive games for the first time this year stopped one short. Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the loss.

The Panthers were leading 1-0 going into the final 20 minutes on the strength of Horton's second-period goal, but sudden back-to-back goals by the Thrashers changed the picture for good.