Khabibulin's play has coach, teammates in awe

There has been no bigger difference-maker than goalie Nikolai Khabibulin for the Blackhawks in the first two playoff games against the Calgary Flames.

Khabibulin has stopped 53 of 57 shots in posting back-to-back 3-2 victories to improve his career record against the Flames, including playoffs, to 28-8-2.

"Whether you're on the bench or on the ice, it's hard to remember how many big saves he's made for us," Jonathan Toews said. "I can't even count how many big saves he's made. That's the type of thing we feed off as a team."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville called Khabibulin's play "spectacular" in Saturday's Game 2 win. Khabibulin was the difference in the third period as the Hawks successfully protected their 1-goal lead for the full 20 minutes.

"He was the key factor in us winning," Quenneville said. "On many of his saves you were saying, 'How did that stay out of the net?' "

The Flames' threat to be more aggressive around Khabibulin in Game 2 didn't materialize.

"We need to get more pucks at him, more tips and more screens to get it by him," Calgary's Mike Cammalleri said.

Khabibulin is 10-1-1 in his last 12 starts counting his strong finish in the regular season.

"He doesn't wear a letter, but he's one of the guys we look to for leadership and follow," Patrick Sharp said. "He's played great.

"I'm sure Khabby is in their heads just as much as (Miikka) Kiprusoff is in our's. Anything those two guys see they're going to stop."

Keenan's call: Now that the Flames are at home for Games 3 and 4, coach Mike Keenan gets the last line change and will look to keep Jarome Iginla away from Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

"Obviously the Blackhawks wanted to have that matchup on the (defense) with Iginla," Keenan said. "They're going to probably try to get that matchup when they can when they're in Calgary. That's what we can expect from them."

Keenan moved Iginla off the line with slumping center Olli Jokinen for Game 2 and had his star winger skating with Craig Conroy and Curtis Glencross.

Change of venue: When it comes to fan involvement, the Saddledome is no United Center. But the Hawks still expect to skate into a hostile environment tonight for Game 3.

"It's a tough building to go into, but we need a better start than in the first two games," Joel Quenneville said.

The Hawks had to rally from behind in the first two games of the series, but now they won't have their rabid fans pushing them like in Game 2.

"They were a big part of the game," Quenneville said. "Their enthusiasm was off the charts."

The amazing atmosphere stunned many Hawks for Games 1 and 2.

"You looked up and down the bench during the anthem and there were a couple smiles, guys chuckling to themselves, it was so loud in there," Patrick Sharp said. "You can really tell the fans were holding on to that a long time. It meant a lot to them to cheer. It showed all over the NHL that hockey is back in Chicago."