Because of the strong play of backup Antti Niemi, its now a guessing game regarding which goaltender will get the next start for the Blackhawks.
Coach Joel Quenneville said after today's practice that Cristobal Huet will get the call in net against the Rangers on Wednesday night at the United Center.
"Based on the way things are going it's tough to change Huet playing as much," Quenneville said. "At the same time, (Niemi) is getting consideration. He's coming off a couple of real special games and we like the way he battles and competes in practice. It's a good situation where you're very comfortable putting him in."
Huet has been very solid of late but Niemi was spectacular in his last two starts with victories over the Canucks on Nov. 22 and Penguins on Saturday night in the second of difficult back-to-back road games for the Hawks.
"When a player is playing well he's getting rewarded," Huet said. "Same for me and Antti. He's been great. Two tough teams on the road in Vancouver and in Pittsburgh he got us the two points in those two games. It's a good luxury to have him. He's been playing well for us."
Huet, who is 13-6-2 with a 2.24 goals-against average, said he tries to avoid thinking too much about a possible goalie controversy.
"I try not to think about everything that's not related to stopping the puck, basically," Huet said with a chuckle. "Let the coach do that."
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