Williams iffy for Avalanche with groin injury

Already hurting for offense, the Blackhawks might be without Jason Williams tonight against Colorado at the United Center.

Williams, one of only two Hawks with 2 or more goals, has a groin issue similar to the one that has sidelined Rene Bourque until at least next week. Williams didn't practice Thursday.

"He has slight soreness and we'll see how he is (today)," coach Denis Savard said. "We're going to look out for him first and our team, and hopefully he's OK. I doubt that he won't play; I think he's going to be all right, but Bourque had the same thing, played with it and aggravated it a little bit."

Whether Williams plays or not, Savard plans to use Danny Richmond for the first time this season at either a wing or on defense. Richmond has been a healthy scratch for the first six games.

"He's worked hard and stayed ready," Savard said.

Golden domer: Martin Lapointe practiced for a brief time Thursday wearing a gold helmet, which goes to the Hawk who wins the daily shootout competition at the end of the day.

There was no shootout Thursday, so it's Lapointe's until at least Monday.

"Next shootout I plan to keep it, but we'll see if Kaner (Patrick Kane) brings some moves and tries to steal it from me," Lapointe said.

Earning their keep: The plan was to bring Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane along slowly, but the talented rookies have been too good to keep on the bench.

Toews and Kane are averaging more than 18 minutes of ice time, with only Robert Lang and Jason Williams getting more among the forwards.

"It's their will, their smartness and the fact they're good hockey players and they want to win," Denis Savard said. "They deserve to play as much as they have. If that's what it takes, then that's what it takes."

Rotation set: Nikolai Khabibulin starts in goal tonight against the Avalanche, with Patrick Lalime getting the nod Saturday at Toronto.

Lalime will be back in the atmosphere he knows quite well in electric Air Canada Centre, where he played regularly while with Ottawa.

"It's a good place to play, a fun place to play," he said.