Blackhawks beat Khabibulin, win again at home
As was the case many times during the 2008-09 season, Nilolai Khabibulin was the best goaltender on the ice Wednesday night at the United Center.
Unfortunately for the Chicago Blackhawks, Khabibulin was no longer in between the pipes for them. Instead he was donning the jersey of the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Unfortunately for Khabibulin and the Oilers, it didn't matter that he outplayed Hawks backup Antti Niemi, because Niemi had by far the best team on the ice in front of him. Khabibulin faced twice as many shots as Niemi, 38-19, and the Hawks held on for a 4-3 victory to move to 3-0-1 at home on the season.
What has happened with the Hawks has been about what I expected of them going into the year. Their skaters have outperformed the opposition's pretty much every game. They've peppered opposing goalies with more shots on goal than anyone in the league (225) to date. And the Hawks' defense has been stout enough that their keepers have had to make just 111 saves, which is tied with the New York Islanders for the fourth-lowest total in the NHL.
While I use that save total to illustrate how well the Hawks have played defensively, it's also true that their goalies should have a few more saves by now. Niemi has played relatively well, especially given that he's a rookie, and one that barely made the team at that. Cristobal Huet, with a few exceptions, has not, especially given that he's supposed to be his team's No. 1 and is being paid like one. In fact, he's been poor enough to make me wonder more than ever if he'll be the only thing stopping the Hawks from winning the Stanley Cup.
That's why tonight's start at Nashville in a game that otherwise would be about as unimportant as they come in the NHL is actually a big one for Huet. He's facing a very mediocre offensive team, and the calls for his head are getting louder as he continues to be outplayed by his backup. Tonight would be a good time to start silencing those critics, and not to give them more fuel for their fire.
