Blackhawks

One goal: A single goalie

Goaltending controversies can be fun, but they're not necessarily good. Neither Cristobal Huet nor Antti Niemi has taken charge in the net, and one of them needs to if the Hawks are to make a deep playoff run.

Team USA: Kane will miss Modano

Call it the changing of the guard. Patrick Kane is the new, young face of USA Hockey. Mike Modano is the older caretaker with all the records.

Versteeg gives Blackhawks shootout win over Stars, 4-3 Kris Versteeg scored in the fifth round of a shootout Tuesday night and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Dallas Stars 4-3. Patrick Kane had two first-period goals for the Blackhawks, his team-high 23rd and 24th of the season.

Goal tenders' assembly line

Cristobal Huet still might be the Blackhawks' No. 1 goalie, but coach Joel Quenneville seems to be giving Antti Niemi every opportunity to win the job.

Well worth the risk for Hawks Olympians

The concerns are obvious for those NHL teams with players participating in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver later this month. There are the additional risks of injury and fears that players might tire down the stretch.

Quenneville getting his lines all in line No doubt the return of Dave Bolland has created some adjustment issues for the Blackhawks. Since Bolland rejoined the lineup last week after nearly three months off following back surgery, coach Joel Quenneville has scratched a different forward in each of the three games, and he finally found a line combination that worked Saturday in a 2-1 road win against the St. Louis Blues.