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.
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