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While the Hawks have played both Jekyll and Hyde on their way to an 8-2-3 record, one thing has become fairly painfully apparent: backup goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is either not adjusting well to limited minutes in his new role with the Hawks or he is pretty much done, or both.
Which leaves the Hawks, who could have some fairly significant cap room to work with come deadline time, with a bit of a conundrum. Do they go out and grab a better backup for Corey Crawford, who has been slightly more up than down thus far this year? Or do they promote and audition Finnish rookie Antti Raanta from Rockford (AHL)?
There's a little bit of a domino effect to be concerned about here. Having given up 5 or more goals in three of their last four games, the Hawks aren't exactly playing their usual brand of defensive hockey either.
Will that just change? Or are the losses of Michal Frolik on the penalty kill and Ray Emery as 1B in net being felt a little more than anticipated?
These are questions that bear further scrutiny as the season rolls on, with the Hawks' next game Saturday in Winnipeg.
And hey, how 'bout that Toews kid? Natural hat trick and it came at a very good time to help the Hawks pick up two points in a game they otherwise should have lost last night versus Ottawa.
All for now, back soon,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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