The
2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season began with the highest expectations in franchise history, even with the off-season loss of their second-leading scorer,
Marc Savard, to the
Boston Bruins. Veteran centers
Steve Rucchin,
Niko Kapanen and
Jon Sim were acquired in hopes help fill the loss of Savard. With
NHL superstars
Marian Hossa and
Ilya Kovalchuk and a healthy goaltender,
Kari Lehtonen, the Thrashers clinched the first playoff berth in franchise history following the
Toronto Maple Leafs' 7–2 loss to the
New York Rangers on April 1. The Thrashers had a highly disappointing playoff series against the New York Rangers, as they were swept with losses of 4–3, 2–1, 7–0, and 4–2.