Lewis's job is safe for next season

Things are looking up for Dave Lewis (center), who learned he'll be behind the bench in 2007-08. (BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF)

Because of the season-long struggles of his team, Dave Lewis's coaching performance has been questioned by owner Jeremy Jacobs.

But yesterday, after a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, Lewis said general manager Peter Chiarelli, who has the final say on personnel issues, will bring him back next season.

"I talked to Peter and there's nothing to worry about," Lewis said. "We have to get better as a group. We have to get better as a team. We have a road ahead of us that we know the direction we're going.

"Now it's up to us, the coaches, to get better for next year. We have to have a better start. Obviously, we didn't have a strong start, fell behind, and we haven't been consistent."

Lewis, who has steered the Bruins to a 35-37-2-4 record, has three years remaining on his contract.

"He'll be back," confirmed Chiarelli.

The Bruins, playing for pride and jobs yesterday before 16,218 fans at TD Banknorth Garden, rallied from a 2-0 second-period deficit against Atlanta, tying the game at 15:03 of the third period.

But Keith Tkachuk gained position on Mark Mowers and parked himself at the lip of the crease as he had for most of the game. The center bunted a rebound -- defenseman Alexei Zhitnik and forward Marian Hossa had crashed the net and put shots on Joey MacDonald -- across the line for the winning goal with 18.6 seconds remaining.

Tkachuk scored four seconds after the Bruins had killed off a delay-of-game penalty on Dennis Wideman for dumping the puck into the stands.

"That's a heartbreaker for the guys," said Marc Savard, who assisted on Petr Kalus's tying goal. "I feel bad for everybody. We kept battling until the end."

Sharpshooter Ilya Kovalchuk opened the scoring 24 seconds into the game with a deflection past MacDonald, then defenseman Greg de Vries doubled Atlanta's lead at 9:08 of the second period. But at 18:30 , Marco Sturm, slicing through the slot, got a piece of a Zdeno Chara blast and ticked it past goalie Kari Lehtonen.

On the tying goal, Savard, who had been thumped from behind by Garnet Exelby in the first period (the center retaliated at the other end of the ice and was called for hooking), got his revenge on the defenseman. Savard picked Exelby's pocket behind the Atlanta net and fed the puck to Kalus, who elevated a backhander over Lehtonen for his second career goal in only his fifth NHL game.

"I've enjoyed watching him," said Lewis. "He's full of energy chasing the puck. The two goals he's scored were skilled goals. The first goal, he lifted the puck over [Ottawa goalie Ray Emery's] stick to get it five-hole. This one was a really nice goal top-shelf. He's made the best of his little chance and opportunity. It's nice to see a young player like that."

MacDonald, making his fifth start for the Bruins, looked sharp again. When the Thrashers tuned up their attack in the third period, MacDonald stood tall, stopping all but one of Atlanta's 16 shots.

"Every game I get a little more confidence," said MacDonald (37 saves), who'll most likely give up the crease to Tim Thomas this afternoon against the Devils. "The more you play, the better you feel."

Savard, who entered yesterday with a three-game scoreless streak (the fourth time he's gone without a point in three straight this season), snapped the string with his third-period assist.

Savard, who has centered Sturm and Patrice Bergeron for the last three games, now has 93 points. Savard has never scored 100 points as an NHLer (he recorded a career-high 97 last season), and has four games to hit the milestone.

"I think it's more important to my friends," Savard said with a laugh. "They've been jinxing me. I think that's why I was in my slump there. I just want to contribute every year. I like the foundation here."

Savard is the only player to appear in all 78 Bruins games this season.

"That's one of my more attainable goals," said Savard, who played in all 82 games for the Thrashers last season. "I've had some seasons where I haven't played a full season. I did last year and hopefully -- knock on wood -- can do it this year. I just want to play every game and contribute."

At 9:29 of the second period, after Jim Slater belted him with a heavy hit against the boards, Jeff Hoggan challenged the forward to a fight. The two traded punches until Hoggan fell backward, hitting his head on the ice. Instead of going to the penalty box, Hoggan left for the dressing room for evaluation. Hoggan was cleared to play and returned for the third period. "I pulled back and he pushed forward," said Hoggan. "I snapped my neck and went back with my head on the ice." Hoggan took a bigger hit in warm-ups when a puck shot by Mowers glanced off the crossbar and hit him in the face, leaving him with a bruise on his right cheek. "I know who it was," Hoggan joked. "I'll have to get him back for that." . . . Jeremy Reich also got into a second-period scrap, going toe-to-toe with tough guy Eric Boulton . . . Bobby Allen, a healthy scratch for the last five games, reentered the lineup, skating 13 shifts for 10:40 of ice time. Jason York was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game . . . Chuck Kobasew (concussion) didn't dress for the third straight game . . . The top defense pairing of Chara and Aaron Ward was on the ice for all three Atlanta goals.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com.