Khabibulin nearing return from sore back
The Blackhawks' goaltending situation could get even more interesting in the next week.
While Hawks coach Denis Savard came back with Corey Crawford on Wednesday night against Carolina, agreeing there was a precedent for a hot rookie carrying a team late in the season, Nikolai Khabibulin returns to full practice today and might be able to play as soon as Sunday against Calgary.
Khabibulin has missed the last 11 games with back spasms.
"It's possible Sunday, but more likely (next) Wednesday," Savard said. "Habby is going to get ready, and you can't forget that when he won the Cup (with Tampa Bay in 2004), he got pretty hot, and there's a chance he could get hot again.
"He's going to be fresh. As long as his practices are good, we feel he's moving quick and his timing is good, we might have to run with him. But I don't want to get too far ahead."
Savard stayed with Crawford on Wednesday after his 44-save performance in Tuesday's 3-1 loss at Detroit. Savard mentioned the names of Steve Penney, Patrick Roy and Ed Belfour as rookie goalies who have come on late in seasons to lead their teams to success down the stretch.
"It has happened many times," Savard said. "Certainly right now he's showing us that he's capable of being here and playing a lot of games. He deserves to play. He's been great."
Wiz suspended: The Hawks had to play without James Wisniewski on Wednesday after the defenseman received a one-game suspension from the NHL for cross-checking Detroit's Mikael Samuelsson around the face Tuesday.
"He didn't mean to get him in the face," Denis Savard said. "One thing, if there's a hit to the head, that's the way they should be calling it."
Wisniewski is eligible to return Friday at Columbus. Andrei Zyuzin replaced him against the Hurricanes, playing for only the fourth time in the last 28 games.
Tune it in: This should be cool. Comcast SportsNet will televise a game from Dec. 11, 1971, between the Hawks and Toronto from Maple Leaf Gardens on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.
The original black and white "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast features Bill Hewitt and Bob Goldham announcing.
Tony Esposito was in goal for the Hawks that night. Esposito will be honored Wednesday at the United Center prior to the game against Washington, returning as a team ambassador.
Tip-ins: Denis Savard said Ben Eager might return this season from the partially dislocated shoulder he suffered last week. … Wednesday's game was only third one Carolina has played out of the Eastern time zone all season.