ATLANTA (AP) - Jon Sim scored two goals and the Atlanta Thrashers beat Montreal 6-2 Thursday night for their fifth consecutive victory, matching the team record and moving them into first place in the Southeast Division.

The Thrashers also edged closer to making the playoffs for the first time in their seven-year history.

Atlanta's other goals came from Ilya Kovalchuk, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Eric Belanger and J.P. Vigier.

The Thrashers broke the game open in the second period, scoring four times in less than nine minutes for a 6-0 lead. Montreal, which is also fighting for a playoff spot, lost for the fourth straight time and 11th in 15 games.