"For the sixth consecutive game, Cristobal Huet dutifully settled into what is becoming his all-too-familiar spot at the end of the Blackhawks' bench.

The veteran goaltender was a spectator again Tuesday night as Antti Niemi got the start and the victory when the Hawks thumped the Stars 5-2 at American Airlines Center for their fourth consecutive triumph. The Hawks set a franchise record with their 50th victory of the season, eclipsing the mark set by the 1970-71 and '90-91 squads. They also equaled the mark of the '70-71 and '71-72 teams for most points in a season with 107.

With the Hawks setting records and battling the Sharks for the top spot in the Western Conference, this not where Huet envisioned himself.

"It has been frustrating," Huet said. "It didn't work out the way I wanted it to."

Huet has seen Niemi grab of the starting job and relegate the veteran to backup duty as the Hawks march toward the postseason. Huet, 34, hasn't played since March 25 when he yielded seven goals to the Blue Jackets and he hasn't won a game since March 5 against the Canucks.

"I can only blame myself for not being on top of my game the last two or three games," said Huet, who is 26-14-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average this season. "Right now I'm just trying to stay sharp and mentally positive, to be ready in case the team needs me."