Hawks can't take their eyes off Red Wings' Lidstrom

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith isn't afraid to admit that he watches Nicklas Lidstrom as often as he can in games against the Red Wings.

Why not learn from the very best, right?

"I watch him on TV, but when you're playing against him even though it's in the middle of a game you can still watch him and realize how great he is and what makes him so good," Keith said. "I think a lot of that is being real simple in the way he plays the game. He just plays within himself and is real smart."

Keith was teammates with Lidstrom at last year's All-Star Game, but he never got into a deep conversation with him.

"I didn't really know him that well so I didn't want to pick his brain," Keith said. "He's kind of a quiet guy and seems so calm off the ice. I think that's why he's calm on the ice."

Lidstrom has won the last three Norris Trophies and has collected six in his 17-year career. Only Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (with 8) and Doug Harvey (7) have won more.

A lot of what the Red Wings do on the ice starts with Lidstrom.

"They have maybe three, four or five in the highest skill level of the league, but Nick is as good as we've seen in a long time," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "He controls the tempo, controls the pace and the power play as well.

"But he's one of many. We have to make sure we make it a challenge for them and not let them have simple and easy plays all night."

No surprise: There will be no alternating of the goalies Saturday night as Nikolai Khabibulin starts again thanks mostly to his 5-2 record against Detroit last season.

"Nik had some real good success against them last year and is playing well now," Joel Quenneville said. "It's not necessarily going to be a rotation, and sometimes we'll look at the matchup to make the decision for us."

Khabibulin ranks fifth in the NHL in goals-against average (1.97) and fifth in save percentage (. 931).

"He's had four real good games in a row," Quenneville said. "Habby is quietly going about his business. He went through a tough time early, but he has given us a great response."

It's very likely that Cristobal Huet will get his next start on Monday at Minnesota.

Center of attention: Joel Quenneville was pleased with the play of center Dave Bolland in Wednesday's win over Edmonton.

"You see what he's capable of," Quenneville said. "He's not easy to play against and has a real good feel for the game. I'm comfortable putting him out there in every situation."