Despite success, Niemi stays focused on challenge

Antti Niemi is taking nothing for granted when it comes to being the Blackhawks' starting goalie for the playoffs.

While it's going to take a crazy set of circumstances for Niemi not to be between the pipes when the Hawks play their first playoff game in a little more than two weeks, the over-aged rookie is acting like there still is a competition going on between himself and Cristobal Huet.

"I try to just focus day-to-day, and when they tell me to play I do my best," Niemi said Saturday. "I'm not thinking too far ahead or with the past games either."

Niemi gets the start Sunday night against Columbus at the United Center in another key game for the Hawks.

It will be the 27th start for Niemi, who admits his confidence is improving while Huet's is probably at its low point.

"I haven't played too many games in the NHL yet so I think every game it gets higher," Niemi said.

Niemi's career high for games is 55 (counting playoffs) with Pelicans Lahiti in Finland in 2007-08. He appeared in 40 games at Rockford last season.

As a goalie, Niemi knows what Huet is experiencing in fighting with his confidence.

"It's a really tough situation," Niemi said. "I think you should think about the game for a few hours after the game and then just drop it. Just forget about it."

Power play slumping: The Hawks worked on the power play at practice on Saturday in hopes of busting out of a 4-for-34 slump over the last nine games.

The Hawks are missing Brian Campbell at the point and even Kim Johnsson to a certain extent.

"You really see how much you miss those two guys back there when they're out of the lineup," Patrick Kane said. "Soupy has been so good at carrying the puck up, getting the puck in the zone. He's helped set up a lot of plays."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has continued to use Marian Hossa at the left point to try to generate something.

"He's pretty comfortable back there making plays," Kane said. "Anytime you put a lot of skill players on the ice the results are good. We have 10 or 15 guys that can play the power play so if it's not working you can change it up, but I think we're pretty comfortable with the two units we have now."

Feeling better: Dave Bolland practiced Saturday after missing Thursday's loss at Columbus with the flu.