CHRIS KUC.

After rotating his goaltenders for much of the season, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is scrapping the plan and handing the bulk of the duties to Nikolai Khabibulin.

"We want to get him playing some games here and give him the net for a while to get on a roll," Quenneville said. "Before he was hurt it looked like he was going to get the ball and go. He has positioned himself to get this opportunity, and we're going to rely on him."

Khabibulin started for the third time in the Hawks' last four games Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers after missing 14 games with a lower-body injury. It was his 32nd appearance of the season. Cristobal Huet has played in 39 games.

"Goaltending all year long has been one of our strengths," Quenneville said. "When we were winning, it was a big factor. With Khabby playing here a little bit coming off the injury, we expect him to get better and better and comfortable in net."

Fitting in: Rookie defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson started his seventh consecutive game since his recall March 4 from Rockford of the American Hockey League.

"I'm more comfortable with each game," Hjalmarsson said. "The tempo is way different from down in the minors. You just have to make hard plays and the right plays all the time because if you make a bad pass, it's going to be a turnover and probably a big chance to score."