How did the Thrashers get hot?

What’s the difference between the Thrashers team that was the second worst in the league through January and the one that had a winning month of February and five victories in its first six games in March?

“They’re more conscientious than anything else,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau, a close friend of Thrashers coach John Anderson, said before Monday night’s game.

“They went through a stretch where they got behind and they’d say, ‘Oh, we’re going to lose.’ Now, every time they get behind they think they can still win, which is a great trait to have, and the last two games [victories at Edmonton and Buffalo] are great examples of that. And they’ve got some good players.

“It takes sometimes a long time to change the culture that’s been losing a little bit. John’s turned the corner with that team and changed the culture from ‘We’re not going to be successful’ to ‘Hey, let’s get out there. We can beat any team in the league.’ “

Another perspective

Brett Sterling was with the Thrashers (mostly watching from the press box) when they started the season 2-7-2.

Now, he’s back, and he contributed the game-deciding goal in Saturday night’s shootout. What changes does he see?

“Guys are a bit more upbeat. They’re a bit more together,” Sterling said. “At the beginning of the year it was a bit scattered. You had a lot of new guys, a new coaching staff. It takes a while to adjust to each other. The guys have really done a great job. It’s been a rough year for the most part, but it’s how you’re finishing. Right now, the guys are in control game after game.”

Machecek debut

Somewhere in California, Spencer Machacek’s grandparents had some proud moments Monday night. Or not. “They’re on vacation right now,” Machacek said before making his NHL debut. “I’m not sure if they know or not.”

Machacek (pronounced muh-HA-chehk), 20, is in his first professional season and had 20 goals and a plus-12 rating for the Chicago Wolves. He was the Thrashers’ first pick of the 2007 draft, a third-round selection.

Monday milestones

Monday night’s game was the 200th of Kari Lehtonen’s career and the 100th of Rich Peverley’s.