Cristobal Huet News

The Los Angeles Kings begin a five-game road trip tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

When the Phoenix Coyotes took the ice Thursday night at Jobing.com Arena to host the Chicago Blackhawks, it had been awhile since 3rd year forward Peter Mueller had scored a goal.

The Blackhawks owned the Phoenix Coyotes last season, winning all four meetings and outscoring them 13-1 in the last two.

Dave Bolland #36, Kris Versteeg #32, Patrick Sharp #10, Brent Seabrook #7 and Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Versteegs' goal in the first period against Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens at the United Center on October 30, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.

Chances are good that if Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook can't practice with the Blackhawks today, they'll sit out another two games.

Fifty years ago today, hockey changed forever. On Nov. 1, 1959, Jacques Plante became the first NHL goalie to wear a facemask, beginning the end of an era in which goalies -- including Blackhawks legend Glenn Hall -- did things that are incomprehensible today.

As the first month of the 2009-10 season comes to a close, the ChicagoA Blackhawks have taken advantage of a weak schedule and built a strong foundation.

Three stars: 1. Dave Bolland, Hawks. Scored a goal and was a key defensively as a penalty-killer; played 20 minutes, more than any other Chicago forward.

Minnesota Wild at the United Center, 7 p.m. TV: Versus Radio: WGN 720-AM What to watch: Minnesota, last in the Western Conference, is 0-7 on the road and has been outscored 25-12. Ex-Hawk Martin Havlat is struggling with his new team, a minus-8 with 1 goal in eight games.

Troy Brouwer's power play goal late in the first period was the difference, as Chicago edged Minnesota, 3-1, at the United Center.

Cristobal Huet #39 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a facemask save off a slap shot during a NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on October 8, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.

In one short season, the Chicago Blackhawks have shot right to the top of the Western Conference.

Center Jonathan Toews and defenseman Brent Seabrook played in all 82 regular-season games last season and were big reasons the Hawks amassed 104 points and advanced to the Western Conference finals.

Cristobal Huet turned aside 27 shots for his 21st career shutout, leading the Blackhawks to a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators.

In what could be viewed as a pivotal start, Cristobal Huet gets the net back tonight against Nashville at the United Center with the opportunity to show why coach Joel Quenneville still considers him the Blackhawks' No.

Cristobal Huet will return to the net for the Blackhawks against Nashville on Saturday.

Michael Grabner scored the tying goal with 7:44 to play and Mikael Samuelsson followed with the winner 3:02 later Wednesday night as the Vancouver Canucks rallied for their first road victory of the season, 3-2 over the Chicago Blackhawks .

The Blackhawks' Cristobal Huet is not the only high-profile goaltender off to a slow start.

Jack Skille's days of shuttling between the Blackhawks and Rockford on an almost daily basis are over.

Not an easy call at the top, but the Penguins are 5-0 on the road and beat the Rangers in the season-opener. 2. N.Y. Rangers -- So far, Marian Gaborik's rubber-band groin is holding up; Rangers have 10 power-play goals in the past six games.