Raycroft has good handle on the situation

Fortune has seldom been on Andrew Raycroft's side this season.

But Raycroft figured the fates might have returned in the opening minutes of the Bruins' 3-2 victory over Atlanta last night. Raycroft was out of position, leaving Atlanta's Jim Slater an opening.

''I was a little lucky," Raycroft said of the stifled opportunity by Slater. ''Our defense did a good job on him. It's always nice when you know you could have played it better but you get away with it. It hasn't really gone that way this year and it's a good feeling when you get away with something at the start like that."

Raycroft, though, mostly made the right moves after that. The Thrashers twice rallied from deficits, and they sent three shots off posts, but, throughout it all, Raycroft maintained his poise and positioning.

Raycroft made his first start since a 6-0 loss to Los Angeles Jan. 12, and it was his first victory since beating Tampa Bay, 6-3, Jan. 7.

''There wasn't any real self-doubt, but you get in a little funk," said Raycroft, who made 20 saves last night. ''It's tough to do this when there are injuries. It wears you down mentally when you are not feeling great physically."

Though slowed by a right leg injury, Raycroft has been serving as Tim Thomas's backup. Now, both goaltenders seem primed for the stretch run.

''We are going to need everybody in the last month and a half, no matter what," Raycroft said. ''We have 23 games in 40 nights. You have to get in a rhythm, whether you are playing every night or every other night. Obviously, it's been a while since I've played. It's not always easy to just go right back in and play.

''It was nice to get in there and get my legs under me. It was fun. The big key was we played so well defensively. They are a team that likes to take advantage of opportunities and we didn't give them any three-on-twos, two-on-ones."

And, when the Thrashers did capitalize on advantages, the Bruins were able to recover.

''Nothing bothers us, nothing fazes us," Raycroft said. ''We are a hard-working team and there is a lot of resiliency in here."

Raycroft, the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, has had to confront losing his starting position to Thomas -- and trade rumors.

''We both understand the situation, we all understand the situation," Raycroft said.

''I'm pretty young but we've all been around long enough. The season has been a roller coaster and all seasons are like that, a lot of ups and downs. It hasn't always worked out the way I wanted it to."

Coach Mike Sullivan's timing in switching goaltenders -- Thomas had played 16 straight -- was propitious.

''There was a lot that went into the decision," Sullivan said. ''I think, obviously, these games are important and [Raycroft] is an important part of our team. We felt that he was, based on what we've seen in practice, and the way he's worked and responded over the last handful of weeks, in the right frame of mind. We are going to need both guys down the stretch, I just felt it was the right time to give him a start.

''We rode Timmy for quite a while there, he really was the difference for us for a significant period of time and a big reason why we were able to climb back in it. But I also believe you have to have two [goaltenders]. Razor has handled the situation professionally.

''The reality is we are going to need both guys if we are going to have success."