Quenneville standing behind Huet

There might be more than a few fans concerned about the play of Cristobal Huet, but the only opinion that counts belongs to Joel Quenneville.

And the Blackhawks' coach is sticking by his No. 1 goaltender.

Huet's save percentage has dropped to .902 following losses to Carolina and St. Louis where he allowed 7 goals on 43 shots (an .837 save percentage).

Two of the goals the Blues scored against Huet in Wednesday's 3-2 win were on deflections, and the 2 third period goals Carolina scored in Saturday's 4-2 were tipped.

"I just think the last number of games (Carolina and St. Louis), you look at the number of shots we've had one way (75) and the number against us (43)," Quenneville said Thursday. "Whether they're tipped or deflected, they're tough saves.

"We're not blaming the goaltending at all, but we know the importance of it. We know it's a key position for us and we're going to rely on it as we go along here. Be it defense, forwards complimenting our defensive game, goaltending, I think we should all absorb some responsibility there. The last two games, nullifying one of those goals I thought would have led to a win in both of them."

Huet will make his fifth straight start tonight against Phoenix at the United Center with Antti Niemi still battling the flu.

Niemi did not practice again Thursday, but Quenneville expects him to be able to back up Huet.

Line shakeup: Joel Quenneville has kept his forward lines intact for the better part of two months but that changes tonight.

There was a new look to three of the Hawks' lines at Thursday's practice with only the No. 1 unit of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Troy Brouwer remaining intact.

As expected, Quenneville had Dave Bolland centering for Marian Hossa and Andrew Ladd.

"We tried it today in practice and I think that's something we're probably going to try," Quenneville said.

Patrick Sharp was at center on the third line between Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien while John Madden practiced on the fourth line with Ben Eager and Tomas Kopecky.

Madden doesn't have a point in his last nine games and is minus-6.

"I just think we've got a lot of options," Quenneville said. "When you look at our forward lines, I don't think any team has so many forwards that can play in your top six, seven, eight or nine. You can say we've got 10 or 11 that deserve a higher line or better opportunity."

Masked man: With Antti Niemi unable to practice Thursday because of the flu, Mark Bernard, the Hawks' general manager of minor-league affiliations, stepped in and put on the pads.

Bernard spent 14 seasons playing goal in the minors, winning two ECHL championships.

"He was impressive," Joel Quenneville said. "He loved the chance to get in there and he was solid."

"He stopped me a few times," Jonathan Toews said.