ATLANTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Eric Boulton got a hat trick and Chris Thorburn added a goal and two assists Saturday in the Atlanta Thrashers' 7-1 pounding of New Jersey.
Boulton's three goals gave him his first career hat trick. He was joined in the scoring column by Ron Hainsey, Evander Kane and Andrew Ladd.
Advertisement
Ondrej Pavelec made 26 saves in the win, which allowed Atlanta to move into first place in the Southeast Division standings. The Thrashers have gone 3-0-2 in their last five games.
The Devils, meanwhile, dropped their eighth straight road game.
Former Thrasher Ilya Kovalchuk got New Jersey's lone goal and Martin Brodeur lasted only two periods before being pulled in favor of Johan Hedberg after allowing four goals on 15 shots.
