Hawks' goalie situation remains wide-open book

It's no secret that the No. 1 goaltender job with the Blackhawks is there for the taking.

Wide open.

Hello?

Anyone?

So far through three game neither 1A Cristobal Huet or fellow 1A Nikolai Khabibulin has stepped up to claim the title, though Huet came the closest yet on Monday night - surviving a rough first period

to keep the Hawks in the game with Nashville before eventually dropping a 3-2 overtime decision. Still, Hawks coach Denis Savard isn't willing to commit to either player.

"I don't know," a disappointed Savard responded when asked about Wednesday's probable starter. "We'll decide on game day."

If Huet continues as he did Monday, he might just be tough to beat. Of the 2 goals he gave up in regulation (23 saves), the first came on a Nashville power play and the second came after an errant Hawks pass hit Kevin Klein on the stick just as he was leaving the penalty box. Klein scored unassisted to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

"He played well; made some big saves for us, no question," Savard said of Huet.

Huet wasn't quite as generous in his self-evaluation.

"I was a little disappointed after the first period," he said. "After that I was just trying to give us a chance to win.

"I would've loved to get us that extra point in the shootout."

It wasn't to be. After the Hawks' Patrick Kane missed on his shot, Rich Peverley snuck one through

Huet's pads and a few minutes later, J.P. DuMont sealed the deal by beating him with a wrist shot.

"We played better tonight and that's something we can focus on," Huet said. "We got a point. now

it's the next game. Get ready for the next game and try to get the 2 points."

Regardless of who starts in net.