"Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet each played in 41 games for the Blackhawks last season, and neither was happy about it.

The Hawks had the NHL's best-paid goaltending tandem, and that led to both goalies being relegated to part-time players.

Well, now Khabibulin is with the Edmonton Oilers, who visit the United Center tonight, and Huet has been designated as the Hawks' top goalie. While both are getting their desired ice time, their new situations aren't exactly working out.

Both have played in four of their teams' five games and neither has impressive statistics. Neither even has a save percentage above the .900 generally considered acceptable, and neither has a goals-against average below the ordinary 3.00.

It's not even a given Huet will be in goal tonight. He allowed three goals in five shots and was pulled in the first period of Monday's 6-5 overtime win over Calgary.

That blitzing left Huet with a 1-1-1 record, .831 save percentage (one of the worst in the NHL) and 3.69 GAA. Backup Antti Niemi wasn't much better, giving up two bad goals on the first three shots he faced. But he did stop the last 12 in the milestone win, and coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't commit to tonight's starter.

''We'll discuss it,'' he said. ''We've got back-to-back games coming up.''

The Hawks visit Nashville on Thursday, so each goalie will probably get a start in the next two games.

Quenneville wouldn't blame Huet for the Hawks' slow start on Monday.

''We weren't very good in front of him,'' said Quenneville. ''We should all be responsible, and all contributed to that tough start. [Calgary] came out hard, and we didn't respond. It was tough watching us play, and it was tough watching some of those goals go in. That was embarrassing, getting behind 5-1 before a full house at home.''"