Nikolai Khabibulin will be in goal Wednesday night when the new-look Blackhawks face the Dallas Stars at the United Center.
In fact, Khabibulin might be in goal until pitchers and catchers report.
New coach Denis Savard said Tuesday he plans to ride his No. 1 goaltender as far as Khabibulin will take him.
“He’s carried the torch well this year and deserves to play every game,” Savard said. “It’s a tough thing to do, but that’s why we got him.”
It wouldn’t be new for Khabibulin, who has played 70-plus games three times and 60-plus five times.
“Obviously, I have to be smart about what I do between games,” said Khabibulin, referring to perhaps less practice time to stay fresh for games.
Khabibulin, who will turn 34 in January, recalled a stretch with Phoenix when he played 49 straight games. But he added, “I was 25 then.”
Not only will he play more games, but he can expect more action. If the Hawks play the open style general manager Dale Tallon wants, opponents figure to have more scoring chances.
Khabibulin has already seen 322 shots in 10 games this season, an average of 32 a game. That’s five more per game than New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur, and Brodeur has seen more pucks than any goaltender in the NHL, facing 611 shots in 22 games.
Even when defense was stressed under former coach Trent Yawney, Khabibulin saw a barrage of shots on the recent trip. He faced 45 shots in Anaheim and 39 in Vancouver and Calgary.
“I don’t mind a lot of shots, never did,” said Khabibulin, who has a 3.10 goals-against average. “It keeps me in the game. We have to take some chances and create offense. If that means we have to open up, we’ll try that.”
In an era when individual statistics can lead to big paydays, not every goaltender would be thrilled about risking an inflated goals-against average and lower save percentage with a wide-open attack in front of him.
“What good are stats if you don’t make the playoffs?” Khabibulin asked. “We definitely want to win games, and it doesn’t matter how you win them, whether it’s 1-0 or 6-5. The top eight teams don’t necessarily allow the fewest goals, but they get the most points, so we have to concentrate on that.”
One-timers
The Hawks recalled winger Brandon Bochenski and center Martin St. Pierre from Norfolk and sent center Craig MacDonald back. Bochenski had 18 goals and 32 points in 19 games with the American Hockey League team playing on a line with St. Pierre, who had six goals and 32 points. Savard said Bochenski would play on the power play. MacDonald had one point in 11 games with the Hawks. … Injured Martin Havlat skated with the team for a second straight day, and Savard said the new target date for his return is Dec. 5 or 7.
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rfoltman@tribune.com
