Nikolai Khabibulin is a four-time All-Star. He’s an Olympic medalist. He’s a Stanley Cup winner.
He’s also one other thing.
“He’s human,” Flames winger Eric Nystrom said.
Nystrom and the Flames helped prove that during their back-to-back victories against the Blackhawks at the Pengrowth Saddledome, where the Flames tied the Western Conference quarterfinals 2-2 before the best-of-seven series returns to Chicago on Saturday for Game 5.
The 6-4 loss Wednesday night in Game 4 was especially deflating. Khabibulin gave up five goals — something he has done only two other times this season.
The Flames’ key to cracking the player known as the ‘Bulin Wall?
“Just shoot the puck,” said Nystrom, who scored the difference-making goal in the third period. “Just shoot, shoot, shoot. Get bodies in there because he’s human. He’s going to make a mistake here or there.”
Those mistakes were neither here nor there before the series moved to Calgary.
Khabibulin probably understood how Michael Jordan used to feel when he dominated the Cavs.
He had compiled a 24-5-2 career record against the Flames through the first two games of the series, with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. The last time the Flames scored four goals against Khabibulin was Game 1 of the 2004 Stanley Cup finals when he helped win the series for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But the nine goals Khabibulin allowed in two games in Calgary are the most in back-to-back games this season for the 36-year-old Russian. In Game 4, the Flames scored three goals in a 9-minute-16-second span in the second period.
Calgary fans jumped at the chance to taunt him, chanting “Buuu-lin, Buuu-lin” after the Hawks fell behind.
“If he sees the puck, he can make the saves,” Flames defenseman Adrian Aucoin said. “We know how good he is. We have to get bodies in there and create screens and get rebounds.”
The Blackhawks aren’t losing their faith in Khabibulin.
During the regular season, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville split the goaltending duties between Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet. But a strong end to the regular season earned Khabibulin dibs on the playoffs.
“He has been tremendous for us. Consistent,” Quenneville said. “He knows what it’s like in a playoff series. He’s a great pro.”
Khabibulin owns a 2.33 goals-against average, finishing the regular season with a 25-8-7 record.
“He has been great all year,” Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “He has been a horse for us. We have to give him more support.”
Neither goalkeeper put together a highlight reel in Game 4, but both have excellent credentials.
Miikka Kiprusoff made 28 saves in the Flames’ second straight victory, their only ones this season against the Hawks. He owns a 2.84 goals-against average but was bested when the goalies paired off while Khabibulin was with the Lightning.
Now they’re battling to a standstill.
“These two goaltenders are matching up,” Nystrom said. “They’re two of the top ones in the world, and it has been a great series.”
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sryan@tribune.com
