Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has the second-best save percentage in the NHL, based on at least two games work. Khabibulin has stopped 63 of 65 shots (.969). The only netminder better is Vancouver Canucks’ Roberto Luongo, who has only given up two goals in 74 shots (.973). Khabibulin will get his third start in Minnesota Thursday and probably fourth in a row, against the Flames in Calgary Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada.
Only one guy, Marty Reasoner, has beaten Khabibulin.
No rust. No sore back when he’s on the ice, or the morning after games. Almost no goals to replay in his sleep.
“The only pressure I put on myself is to battle hard,” said Khabibulin.