In Corey Crawfords absence hearts grow fonder of B

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In Corey Crawfords absence hearts grow fonder of B

CHICAGO When hes asked about playing without goalie Corey Crawford, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville gives the politically correct Joey Rickard Jersey answer. Theres no outward panic or sign that hes even the slightest bit worried about taking the ice without his two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie.We dont want to change how we play, Quenneville said. I think we want to play the same way.That might be true, but when Crawfords out, the Blackhawks are without one of the NHLs truly elite players. You just might not have noticed how elite.MORE: Crawford mi sed his second straight game after . Fortunately, the i sue isnt expected to keep Crawford out long, as Quenneville said before Sundays game that his starting goalie will get back on the ice in a few days and be reevaluated then. Quenneville didnt even dismi s the po sibility he could return Friday against Buffalo, the earliest Crawford is eligible.Obviously, a quick return would be great news for Chicago, which for the first time since 2011 isnt a lock to make the playoffs.Crawford is having a career year for a Blackhawks team that has sorely needed him to be at his best. After Sundays 3-1 lo s to the Kings, Chicago was one of the highest-event teams in the league. They were eighth in the Donovan Solano Jersey league at 34.1 shots per game, but allowing 33.7, the third-most.That means Blackhawks games, more than in past years, have been up-and-downrollercoaster affairs. And Crawford has been up to the task. Hes already got two shutouts to go with an 11-7-2 record, 2.29 goals-against average, and strong .930 save percentage despite seeing as much rubber as ever since becoming the Chicago starter during the 2010-11 season.MIXED BAG:In six games, Crawfords been forced to make at least 35 saves, and other than a Nov. 12 blowup against New Jersey when he allowed six goals on 25 shots, the 32-year-old goalie has reached a new level.Thats helped Chicago stay in the Western Conference playoff race despite a blue line thats taken time to mesh and struggled to replace Niklas Hjalmar son.Hes been great for us game in, game out, Quenneville said late last month. His consistency early in games, when the games are on the line late he finds a way to make big saves, timely saves, but really consistent in the net finding pucks, handling the puck well. I think that hes been instrumental in us getting points, being in the position that were in.Though Quenneville said that in November 2017, hes been saying similar things about his goalie for a long time. Even if some people havent listened.Crawford has somehow managed to fly under the radar outside Chicago. Maybe its because hes teammates with guys like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith playing behind whats long been one of the leagues deepest teams and best defenses. Or perhaps its due to how hes spent much of his career in the shadow of other Will Smith Jersey great goalies like Carey Price, Jonathan Quick, Braden Holtby and Tuukka Rask, but Crawford seemingly hasnt gotten the credit youd think somebody with his numbers would.MORE:Crawford is fourth among active goalies with a career 2.37 GAA and has finished in the top 10 three times. His .919 career save percentage is fifth among active goalies and hes had three seasons in the top 10 in that category.But beyond a pair of all-star nods and his two William Jennings Trophies (one he split with Ray Emery in 2013, another he shared with Price in 2015), individual accolades have eluded Crawford. Despite winning16 playoff games during Chicagos run to the 2013 Stanley Cup with a 1.84 GAA and .932 save percentage, Crawford was skipped over for the Conn Smythe Trophy Alex Dickerson Jersey in favor of Patrick Kane. Hes never been a Vezina Trophy finalist and not that long ago some still questioned why Chicago gave him a six-year, $36 million contract in 2013.Anybody whos overlooking Crawford now, however, simply isnt paying attention. Chicago goalie Anton Forsberg, whos started the Blackhawks last two games, knows what kind of player Crawford is. In fact, Forsberg was asked if hes feeling pre sure stepping in for Crawford, and his answer was revealing.Of course. Hes been doing a really good job keeping us in games and winning games for us, Forsberg said. Thats the same thing I want to do.MORE:Other than allowing Christian Folins goal with 10:31 left in Sundays game, Forsberg has been good enough to win during Crawfords absence. He stopped 21 Kings shots one night after making 33 saves in a 3-2 shootout lo s Saturday in Dallas, but is still looking for his second victory of the season after beating Carolina on Nov. 11.Again, a great effort by (Forsberg). Hes been Jeff Samardzija Jersey good for us, especially in the back-to-backs where he picks up behind Crow, Toews said. Just cant quite seem to get some offense and give him a little padding, give him a little breathing room. Hes doing everything we need him to do and we just need to support him and create some offense and find a way to get some wins for him.Chicago couldnt do that Sunday against a Kings team that completed a perfect 4-0 road trip and stayed on top of the Pacific Division. Last season, Los Angeles spent most of the campaign without Quick after he suffered a lower-body Oct. 12 and didnt get him back until Feb. 25, too late to salvage their season and get them back to the postseason.Quick is back now and the Kings might be, too. If the Blackhawks hope to reach their own high standards, theyll need Crawford to return soon, and pick up where he left off. And maybe people will finally notice what hes doing. Related Articles The best active NHL player at every jersey number, 1 to 97
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