Thunder needs to improve 5-on-5 scoring

      During the regular season, the Thunder was one of the International Hockey League's most dangerous outfits in 5-on-5 situations, but it struggled greatly on the power play.
      So, what happens when the playoffs begin? Naturally. The Thunder's power play is dynamite, but it can't score a 5-on-5 goal. And if Las Vegas is to come back and win the final three games of its Western Conference playoff series against the Houston Aeros, the Thunder will need to improve its even-strength scoring.
      Thunder coach Chris McSorley said he wants his team to be a little less picky about the types of shots it takes at Houston goaltender Frederic Chabot.
      "At this point, we have too many players passing when they should be shooting," McSorley said. "We need to commit to taking the shot whenever the opportunity arises."
      Las Vegas has scored four power-play goals in the first two games after getting just four in 49 chances against Houston in 11 regular-season games. Forward Martin Gendron had both in Game 1, and defenseman Ruslan Salei scored two in Game 2.
      Thunder right wing Patrice Lefebvre, who is suffering from bronchitis but said he will play, said the 5-on-5 statistic is somewhat misleading. Gendron, he said, had numerous chances to score even strength.
      "That first game, Marty had two goals on the power play, but he could have had three more 5-on-5," Lefebvre said. "He got set up in the slot and took some good shots, but Chabot made the saves. It's not like we're not having chances."
      But Chabot hasn't played Superman in the series like he did during the regular season.
      The Thunder's fear is Chabot will snap back to form in Game 3 Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center. But Gendron, who led the team with 51 goals in the regular season, said the Aeros played better in front of Chabot knowing the goaltender didn't have his "A" game.
      "Freddie had two average games for him, rebound-wise and because it seemed like he was swimming a little in his crease," Gendron said. "The team relies on him so much, and when he is really sharp, they work a little less. They knew he was struggling, so they got together and played very well (for) him."
      Thunder center Joe Day said the team can't worry about when it scores its goals. It must take them, he said, when they come.
      "It would be a boost if we could score a couple 5-on-5, but in playoff hockey the games are tight defensively, and you have to play smart that way," Day said. "In a series like this, against a team that is so good defensively, we have to beat them at their own game, and if that means not scoring 5-on-5, so be it."
      -- THUNDER NOTES -- McSorley backed off a bit from his comments Monday when he indicated he was thinking of making a goaltending change for Game 3. He said Monday he was considering giving Andre Racicot the start, but Tuesday said, "I'm not sure we need to make major changes at this stage." ... Defenseman Kerry Huffman didn't practice to get treatment on his injured right knee, which swelled after he played regularly in Game 1. ... Houston center Mark Freer, who missed Game 2 with an undisclosed injury -- reportedly a strained groin -- practiced Tuesday and is likely to play Friday. Hulking defenseman Gord Kruppke, who missed the first two games, is also likely to play Friday, Houston coach Dave Tippett said.