(Betting Express) - The sliding Pittsburgh Penguins will try to avoid a sixth consecutive loss when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for this evening's encounter at Mellon Arena.

Pittsburgh hopes it can continue its recent success against Atlanta to help end the five-game losing streak. The Penguins are 2-0 against the Thrashers this year and have won five of the last seven meetings between the clubs. Atlanta has also dropped three straight and five of eight in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh's fifth consecutive loss came Monday night against the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Rangers dropped the Penguins, 4-0, at Madison Square Garden.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 22 shots in the loss for the slumping Penguins, who have dropped a season-high five straight and have just five wins in their past 17 games.

Pittsburgh, which has just one goal over its last two games, hasn't lost six straight games since a seven-game slide from January 26 to February 8, 2006.

The Pens are just 8-9-2 as the host this year and have lost five straight home games. Following tonight's test, Pittsburgh will head out on a three-game road trip beginning with Thursday's tilt in Nashville.

The Thrashers, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six games and are coming off Sunday's home loss to Tampa Bay. Martin St. Louis registered two goals, and the Lightning climbed out of the Southeast division cellar with the 4-1 victory at Philips Arena.

The Lightning have 32 points and are now one ahead of Atlanta for fourth place in the Southeast.

Erik Christensen scored the lone goal for the Thrashers, while Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals on 35 shots in the loss.

The Thrashers, who are beginning a three-game road trip tonight, have a poor 6-10-3 as the visiting team this season.