"Unlike the four goals he gave up in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Red Wings at the United Center, Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet had a good, clear view of one of the worst losses of the season.

"Obviously, it's my responsibility and I don't hide from that,'' Huet said softly outside the Hawks' dressing room. "But I felt pretty good. I thought I was ready. I'll be fine. I think everybody let everybody down today.''

No matter how true Huet's words may ring, the boos ringing from the crowd of 22,309 weren't meant for the ears of everybody. They weren't intended for every Blackhawk sloppy on defense or shoddy with the puck.

They were directed at Huet, mercifully pulled 10 minutes, 27 seconds into the second period for rookie Antti Niemi after he surrendered four goals in 17 shots.

A 2-0 first-period lead had become a 4-2 deficit quicker than you could say Tomas Vokoun.

After that, the Hawks' Frenchman was toast.

"I think we let our game get away a little and try to make plays a little too much when they're not there, and sometimes you have to give credit to the other team,'' Huet said.

This came on a day Huet's face was on the cover of the latest official game program, which many frustrated Hawks fans probably used later for a dartboard. This came four days after the trade deadline came and went without the Hawks making a trade for a goaltender such as Vokoun of the Panthers or Jaroslav Halak of the Canadiens."