Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Corey Crawford has reclaimed the Chicago Blackhawks' ever-changing starting goaltender's role when the club begins its Western Conference semifinal series with the Minnesota Wild.
Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville made the announcement Monday, two days after Crawford stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief of Scott Darling in Chicago's series-clinching 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators in Saturday's Game 6 of the opening round.
Crawford opened the first two games of the Nashville series but struggled badly in both, permitting a total of nine goals in just four periods of work. Darling replaced him for Game 3 and played well in a pair of Blackhawks victories, but let up three goals in less than 12 minutes in Saturday's matchup before Crawford took over and helped Chicago rally from an early 3-1 deficit.
The 30-year-old Crawford has usually been quite dependable come playoff time. He posted a 1.84 goals-against average during the Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup run and owns a 33-24 lifetime record with a 2.28 GAA in postseason play.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.