After playing 72 games for the Leafs last season, including 26 in succession, Andrew Raycroft's appearances are expected to decrease dramatically as he battles newcomer Vesa Toskala for starts. But while some observers say Raycroft has already played himself into the backup role ? an expensive one at $2 million (U.S.) a season ? because of last year's inconsistency, the Belleville native doesn't see it that way. Toronto's goaltending, in his mind, remains an open battle with whoever is holding the hot hand at any time getting the bulk of the work. "Obviously, the guy who plays well gets to play. It's pretty straightforward," he said. "I'm sure there'll be days where there's lots made of it because people need to sell papers and people need to get ratings on TV. But the bottom line is that the only time there'll be a controversy is if we're both playing awful. Otherwise, one of us is playing well or we're both playing well, then there aren't any question marks because we're winning games and that's what people get excited about. "If we hold up our end of the bargain and play well together, then it will be a fun year."