Lalime net gain for Hawks
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Blackhawks coach Denis Savard means it when he says he will continue to play the hot goaltender.
The only numbers that matter to Savard are wins, not $6.75 million or $950,000 -- which is what Nikolai Khabibulin earns compared to Patrick Lalime.
It was Lalime starting here Saturday night for the fourth straight game, and he was the difference again in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.
It was the fourth straight win for Lalime and the Hawks (23-21-4), three of them in shootouts.
Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat scored in the first two rounds, while Lalime stopped Joel Perreault and Peter Mueller.
"We're doing whatever we need to do to win," Lalime said. "If it takes a shootout, it takes a shootout.
"For us it's playoff hockey now, and we have to win. Every game is big and everybody has to show up."
The Hawks have cut that eight-game losing streak in half as they slowly try to get back in the playoff race in the Western Conference.
"It's nice to be on a little winning streak especially after that … was it an eight-game losing streak?" Kane said. "You lose count after awhile, it gets so big. Hopefully we can turn it around and get some points."
Lalime made 38 saves in regulation and overtime, plus the 2 in the shootout.
Guess who's starting again Tuesday night in San Jose?
"He's been phenomenal," Savard said. "Habby's still with us. He's been a great goalie for a long time, and he's going to continue to be a great one, but right now Patty is seeing the puck very well. He deserves all the credit. He's got us back in this race right now."
Success is nothing new to Lalime, who was one of the top goalies in the NHL for four seasons from 2000-2004 with Ottawa when he averaged 31 wins.
"He's been there," Savard said. "He's capable of doing it."
It was a goaltending duel between Lalime and the Coyotes' Ilya Bryzgalov. Both were beaten on power plays in the second period, with Lalime finding tough luck at 12:08 when Mueller's shot from the deep slot deflected in off the stick of Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith.
The Hawks got the goal back a little more than three minutes later when Kane set up Brent Seabrook for a rocket of a one-timer past Bryzgalov.
"That was huge for our power play because we've been struggling lately," Seabrook said. "It was a great pass."
Kane has been right there with Lalime, leading the way during the 4 wins. He scored to start the shootout for the third straight time, making it 4-for-5 for the season.
"He puts a lot of pressure on the opponent once he scores," Savard said.
The Hawks had a chance to win with 14 seconds left in overtime when Rene Bourque was awarded a penalty shot, but he couldn't beat Bryzgalov.
The Hawks won despite playing a gritty game in Denver on Friday night, which they also win 2-1 in a shootout.
"Pretty gutsy from our group," Savard said. "Give our guys a lot of credit, playing last night in a tough game. I liked our effort."