Steve Rosenbloom from the Chicago Tribune had the same idea I have for a blog today. Not to be redundant, but I still want to make a few remarks about Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.
It's no secret I've never been a big fan of Khabibulin. Looking at his numbers, he's never lived up to his paycheck during his four-year tenure with the Blackhawks. Until now.
Rosenbloom is right -- Khabibulin stole two points for the Blackhawks by making 36 saves during last night's 3-2 victory in Anaheim.
I wasn't surpised that Khabibulin played well. He always seems to be on top of his game when he's well-rested, and he had a week off before last evening's game in Anaheim.
Khabibulin is sharing the position with Cristobal Huet this year. The two have been alternating games throughout much of the season. For that reason, Khabibulin has remained fresh and sharp, and that is reflected in his .924 save percentage and 2.35 goals against average. Both those figures are his best since his Stanley Cup winning season in Tampa Bay (2003-04).
At age 36, Khabibulin is no longer equipped to play 60-70 games in a season. He's only appeared in 25 of the Hawks' 46 games this year. That's a little more his speed. And he's playing for a contract, so he has motivation.
Will the Blackhawks trade him midseason and give the job to Huet? I hope not. Even as a long-time Habby basher, I know he has outplayed Huet this season.
Rosenbloom points out he'd rather have Khabibulin in the nets than Huet this Saturday night when the Hawks take on the league-best Sharks in San Jose. I concur.
And I hope Khabibulin is still with the Hawks and in the net when playoff time rolls around in April.
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