NHL: Atlanta 7, Washington 4

Atlanta -- Bryan Little ignited a three-goal, third-period outburst Friday that carried the Atlanta Thrashers to a 7-4 victory over Washington.

Little broke a 4-4 tie with his second goal of the game and added an assist.

That helped produce a win in John Anderson's first game as Atlanta coach.

Vyacheslav Kozlov, Todd White and Ron Hainsey all had a goal and an assist for the Thrashers and Niclas Havelid recorded three assists. Kari Lehtonen made 39 saves to get the win.

Washington goaltender Jose Theodore, who came to the Capitals from Colorado in free agency this season, allowed four goals on 17 shots. He was replaced by Brent Johnson, who surrendered three goals on 14 shots.

Little put Atlanta in front for good with a shot from the right circle that beat Johnson to the glove side. That goal came with 6:03 remaining in the game and Colby Armstrong added a score 29 seconds later.

The Thrashers let a three-goal lead get away before putting together their late surge.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.