Khabibulin at top of his game
Blackhawks coach Denis Savard felt it was time to go back to goalie Nikolai Khabibulin on Sunday night, and his decision was right on the money.
Khabibulin was razor sharp in his first start in three games, turning back 30 shots in the Hawks' 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.
Khabibulin was at his best during a four-minute Detroit power play midway through the second period with the Hawks leading 2-0.
He first stopped Brian Rafalski on a clean breakaway, then moments later stuck out his right pad to rob Henrik Zetterberg on a rebound in tight.
"He was outstanding, and I felt that this week he had great practices," Savard said. "I've told you guys he hasn't played bad. Nik's been pretty good, and tonight was better than pretty good."
Khabibulin tweaked a knee making a save in the third period and needed treatment after the game.
"His knee's a little sore, but it's nothing serious at all," Savard said.
Mutual respect: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock sees a different Hawks team from the one that has been one of the league's doormats for the better part of the last decade.
"Are they a lot better?" Babcock said to Detroit reporters. "Yeah, they're in the league this year. They're like a real team. You've got Langer (Robert Lang) in the mix, and you've got (Jonathan) Toews and (Patrick) Kane and (Tuomo) Ruutu."
The Hawks beat the Red Wings for the third time in three tries. Detroit has lost only four games all season.
"They're the best team in the league," said Denis Savard.
Milestone goal: When Jeremy Roenick scored his 500th career goal Saturday night for San Jose, he gave the puck to Doug Wilson, his former Hawks teammate and roommate and the Sharks' general manager.
"He taught me a lot about this game," Roenick said. "It was a way to thank him for giving me this chance."
Roenick became the 40th player in NHL history to score 500 goals and the third American born player, joining Joe Mullen and Mike Modano. He scored 267 goals for the Hawks.
Correction: It was reported in Sunday's editions that Henrik Zetterberg's 16-game points scoring streak was a Detroit Red Wings team record. Zetterberg's record, now at 17 games, is to start a season.
The Red Wings' record for consecutive games with a point is 28, held by Steve Yzerman.
Tip-ins: Center Kevyn Adams said he expected to be sidelined 4-6 months with a torn ACL and MCL in his knee. "My goal is to be back for the playoffs," Adams said. … Defenseman Magnus Johansson was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game. … Denis Savard will leave the team until Wednesday to attend the funeral of his father-in-law.