Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) – Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville
said Corey Crawford will be back in net Friday for Game 2 of the Western
Conference quarterfinal series against Nashville after the goaltender was
pulled in Game 1.
Crawford allowed three first-period goals on 12 shots, but the Blackhawks got
a stellar relief effort from Scott Darling and rallied for a 4-3 victory when
Duncan Keith scored in the second overtime period.
“That was a tough period,” said Crawford on Thursday. “Darls was awesome. It
was nice to get a win after leaving a game like that.”
Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced, including 17 during a wide open first
overtime period.
“He’s been our strength all year long,” Quenneville said of the decision to go
back to Crawford. “Look forward to him getting back in the net (Friday).”
Crawford backstopped the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup title in the spring of
2013 and this season posted a record of 32-20-5 with a 2.27 goals-against
average and a .924 save percentage in 57 starts.
