Crawford returns in a big way for Blackhawks
There is no goalie controversy with the Blackhawks.
Call it a goalie luxury.
Corey Crawford, making his first start since Dec. 5, showed no rust from his extended layoff Wednesday night in a strong performance at the United Center.
Crawford turned aside 20 shots, including a lunging beauty of a stick save with the net open, in the Hawks’ 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
It was Crawford’s first win since Dec. 2 against the Islanders.
“Definitely, it was a big game for me personally where I had to come up with a solid game,” said Crawford, still the No. 1 goaltender. “But I wasn’t holding my stick tight. I was pretty relaxed out there and pretty confident.”
Crawford’s teammates wanted to come up big for him, and they did. They were tight defensively, allowing the Canadiens just 3 shots in the third period.
It was a nailbiter until the third when the Hawks busted it open on late goals by Viktor Stalberg, Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell.
Andrew Brunette and Patrick Sharp scored 21 seconds apart in the second period to wipe out a 1-0 Montreal lead.
“Corey’s used to playing a lot, so it’s not easy for those goaltenders to watch a lot of hockey and all of a sudden go in there and try to play with a lot of confidence,” Toews said. “It was great to see him get the win and we definitely wanted to help him out there.”
Crawford watched backup Ray Emery start six games in a row, winning five of them to keep the net during his hot stretch.
“It was an excellent game for him and for us,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Crawford. “It was good to see him come back the way he did and I commend him throughout that process, how mentally he was focused and ready and prepared.”
Crawford’s best save came late in the second period on Max Pacioretty, who had an open net on a rebound with it still a 2-1 game. Crawford dove to his right and got the paddle of his stick on the puck, deflecting it out of play.
“It was a funny little rebound that kicked out to the side and I just tried to get over there as quick as I could and get my stick in the right spot,” Crawford said.
Stalberg’s goal was critical, coming with 9:31 to play and making it 3-1. He had a goal and an assist, giving him 2 goals and 4 assists in the last five games, and is proving to be a pretty valuable player.
“I think overall we’re seeing a better hockey player over time here,” Quenneville said. “He’s improving his puck protection with all his speed. He seems to be more influential in the puck area and winning more than his share of battles, which is good to see because he can do a lot with it.”
Quenneville also liked rookie center Brandon Pirri, who was recalled from Rockford to replace the injured Marcus Kruger. Pirri played 16 minutes, was plus-2 with an assist, and won 10 of 18 faceoffs.
“I liked him a lot,” Quenneville said. “He was good in all areas. I thought he had more speed than I previously saw. I thought his overall game looked like it was more complete, but the thing that was most noticeable was his quickness.”
tsassone@dailyherald.com