TAMPA — Has Peter Budaj lost his starting goalie job with the Avalanche? At least temporarily, the answer appears to be yes.
Backup Andrew Raycroft will start for the second time in three games for Colorado, Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Avs coach Tony Granato made the decision to start Raycroft after today’s practice at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Also in uniform Thursday for the Avs will be forwards Darcy Tucker and Ben Guite, who have been sidelined the past few weeks with injuries.
Raycroft, 4-1 this season with a 3.20 goals-against average and .870 saves percentage, stopped 34-of-36 shots in the Avalanche’s 3-2 victory at Detroit Monday night.
Budaj had one of his poorest performances in recent memory Tuesday at Philadelphia, stopping 19-of-24 shots in a 5-2 loss.
Tucker has been sidelined since Nov. 24 with a sprained left knee, and Guite (ribs) will play his first game since Nov. 8.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
