Patrick Lalime, a solid backup for Nikolai Khabibulin for two seasons when both were with the Blackhawks, will be the starter in goal against the Hawks tonight when they visit the Buffalo Sabres. Lalime, who signed with Buffalo after the Hawks acquired Cristobal Huet prior to last season, has had trouble getting playing time with the Sabres. Buffalo has one of the NHL's best netminders in Ryan Miller, but coach Lindy Ruff opted to go with Lalime against his former team and save Miller for a Saturday night Eastern Conference matchup against the New York Rangers on the road. Lalime, 0-2 this season, is coming a two-game conditioning stint with Portland in the American Hockey Assn.