By CARROLL ROGERS

Slava Kozlov was on the third line for the third time Thursday, having watched his ice time shrink to 9:59 on Sunday and 14:15 on Tuesday.

Part of the reason, coach and general manager Don Waddell said, is linemates Pascal Dupuis and Bobby Holik play so much penalty kill, "it's hard to get that line back out there."

But it's more than that, as the 16-year veteran, who recently played in his 1,000th game, has apparently not been playing at the level the Thrashers have come to expect.

"We all know Kozzy had a great year last year, and he could be better for us," Waddell said. "... Sometimes things don't go well for him. You've got to dig a little deeper and find a way to get out of there."

Kozlov's take?

"They didn't tell me anything. I don't know what's going on," Kozlov said. "I've been in lots of situations, and I know how to deal with it. It can be changed the next game, couple games. I just focus on my things and practice hard and be ready."