The Atlanta Thrashers finally activated goalie Kari Lehtonen on Monday, in time for their game against the Montreal Canadiens, a team the Thrashers need to jump over in order to reach the 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. So, why didn't they let Lehtonen get the start? Michael Garnett may be the best player in the NHL right now.

Who's Michael Garnett, you ask? He was the runner-up for NHL defensive player of the week for the week preceding Dec 19. Ironically, Garnett was beaten out for defensive player of the week by Roberto Luongo, goalie for the Panthers. During the week for which the award was given, Garnett outdueled Luongo for a 2-1 victory by the Thrashers.

Since that week, Garnett has picked up two shutouts, and only allowed 5 goals over the last three games. Both shutouts came against teams that the Thrashers needed to beat in order to get into the playoff hunt. Garnett outdueled future hall of famer Marin Brodeur to a 1-0 victory, and held the Montreal Canadiens scoreless, the team that currently holds the 8th playoff spot, and is just one position above the Thrashers.

What's even more exciting for the Thrashers is that Garnett is doing these things in order to hold on to his job. Kari Lehtonen was the heir apparent to the Thrashers goal coming in to the season, and Garnett was not even in the picture, but because of injuries to Lehtonen and a host of other potential netminders for the Thrashers, Garnett was called upon, knowing his time was likely limited. But he's making the best of it, as he now holds the record for the longest scoreless streak by a goaltender in team history, and has lead the team to a franchise best 8 game point scoring streak. At this rate, the Thrashers are right in the mix for a playoff spot for the first time in team history.

Not to overshadow the rest of the team's play. I should note that this team is playing its best hockey in its sixth seasons of existence. I was at the game last night against Montreal, and the team played with an aggressivenes and pushed Montreal around the ice, while dominating essentially every aspect of the game. The Thrashers penalty kill was fantastic and the power play was great, as it has been all season long. The defenders were always in position to pick up loose pucks in front of the net, and the forwards and pointmen battled hard to keep the puck in their offensive zone all night.

Michael Garnett may not be the starter in Atlanta for too much longer, as he is likely to be replaced by Lehtonen as soon as he faces a tough game, but the Thrashers are becoming a cohesive unit, and with the return of the goalie who was supposed to put them over the top, its amazing to think of where this team is headed.